Older people who are homeless often experience premature ageing and mortality, contributed to by complex histories (e.g. social disadvantage, abuse), precarious living arrangements, estrangement from consistent service provision, and a higher incidence of age-related chronic health conditions such as dementia and alcohol-related brain injury. Little is known of how older people who are homeless make use of the range of services targeted towards the general homeless population. Understanding service use patterns would help to identify needs of this unique cohort. A new purpose-built aged care home has been designed to offer a secure housing solution incorporating intensive service provision for older people who are homeless. The present study aims to explore pathways from homelessness of older people with complex needs to having a permanent home in HammondCare Darlinghurst. Service usage over the 12 months prior to admission will be reviewed (service type, occasions and frequency of use), and referral pathways analysed. Mapping the range of services used by older people with complex needs who are homeless will help identify preferences for services and facilitate the future development of cost-benefit and social-benefit analyses to evaluate the impact of new service models such as the aged care home described in this study.