Homelessness in Australia
People at risk of or homelessness are among Australia’s most socially and economically disadvantaged.
On any given night, 1 in 200 Australians are without a home.
Only 6% of those experiencing homelessness are sleeping rough on the streets.
Statistics on homelessness in Australia
On ABS Census night in 2021, more than 122,000 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness in Australia – 56% were male, 21% were aged 25–34 and 20% were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people (ABS 2023).
At this time, around 47,900 (39%) people were living in severely crowded dwellings. Over 24,300 (20%) were living in supported accommodation for the homeless and 7,600 (6.2%) were rough sleepers .
Who is experiencing homelessness?
Many people picture homelessness as an older man sleeping on a city street, but in reality, there is no single experience of homelessness. People of all ages and backgrounds can be at risk. However, ABS Census data shows that some groups are more vulnerable than others, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, children, and older women.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Despite making up only 3.2% of the population, they account for 20% of those experiencing homelessness, often due to severe overcrowding.
- Children and young people: Many young people, especially those from single-parent households or escaping domestic violence, face homelessness. In 2023-24, nearly 77,000 children and young people received help from specialist homelessness services, including over 43,000 children under nine.
- Older women: Over 7,300 women aged 55 and older are homeless, and this number has risen by 7% in the last five years. Many older women experiencing homelessness remain hidden, often staying with friends or family or living in overcrowded housing.
Homelessness is a complex issue that affects people in different ways, and understanding these vulnerabilities is key to finding solutions.
Where do people who are homeless go?
There are a number of places people who are homeless stay. These include:
- Living in ‘severely’ crowded dwellings (39%)
- Supported accommodation for the homeless (20%)
- Staying temporarily with other households (18%)
- Staying in boarding houses (14%)
- Living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out (6%) and
- Staying in other temporary lodging (3%)
The South Australian experience.
Homelessness is not a choice. It can happen to anyone.
At Hutt St Centre, we define homelessness as the state in which people have no access to safe and secure shelter of a standard that does not damage their health, threaten their personal safety or further marginalise them through failing to provide either cooking facilities or facilities that permit adequate personal hygiene (Neil and Fopp, 1992 – Homelessness in Australia: Causes and Consequences, p.8)
Why are people experiencing homelessness?
Homelessness has many causes, including financial hardship, social disadvantage, poor health, and a lack of affordable housing.
People at risk may also face challenges like mental health issues, substance dependency, domestic violence or relationship breakdowns. The shortage of social and community housing, along with the recent cost-of-living crises has further increased the risk of homelessness in our community.
The leading causes of homelessness include:
- Domestic violence
- Family or relationship breakdown
- Loss of property or tenancy
- Financial difficulties
- Mental health issues
- Trauma and abuse