Leslie Massey
Homelessness in Australia is a multifaceted social issue with a variety of causes and impacts on individuals' rights and freedoms. The rate of homelessness in Australia has fluctuated, with an estimated 122,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2021, and approximately 116,000 people homeless on any given night. People facing homelessness are among the most socially and economically disadvantaged, experiencing higher rates of death and chronic illness, malnutrition, dental problems, violence, and long-term unemployment. Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia, and youth homelessness is also prevalent, with one-third of homeless people under 18. Addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the complex causes and seeks to promote and protect the human rights of those affected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of homelessness | A person is considered homeless if they do not have access to safe, secure, adequate housing, or if the housing they have access to damages or is likely to damage their health. |
| Number of homeless people | On any given night, approximately 116,000 people are homeless, with many more living in insecure housing. In the 2021 census, the number rose by 6,067 people, an increase of 5.2% since 2016. |
| Demographics | 56% male, 21% aged 25-34, 20% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people, 33% under 18 years old. |
| Rate of homelessness | The rate of homelessness in Australia has fluctuated between 51 people per 10,000 in 2001 and 48 in 2021. The highest rate is in the Northern Territory (564 per 10,000), and the lowest in Western Australia (37 per 10,000). |
| Causes of homelessness | Domestic violence, unemployment, shortage of affordable housing, family breakdown, mental illness, sexual assault, addiction, financial difficulty, gambling, social isolation, debt, disability, lack of support, poverty. |
| Health impact | People experiencing homelessness have significantly higher rates of death and chronic illness, including malnutrition and dental problems. They are also exposed to violence and victimisation and long-term unemployment. |
| Human rights impact | Homeless people may face violations of their rights to an adequate standard of living, education, liberty, security, privacy, social security, freedom from discrimination, and the right to vote. |
| Government response | The Australian government funds housing and homelessness services, mainly delivered by non-government organisations. The National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) aims to provide longer-term housing and improve coordination across housing programs. |
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What You'll Learn
Homelessness definitions and statistics
There is no single definition of homelessness. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines homelessness as the lack of one or more elements that represent "home". The ABS statistical definition of homelessness is: "When a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives, they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement involves living in a dwelling that is inadequate, or if they share housing with others, or they live in short-term accommodation or emergency accommodation."
The Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) collection is the national dataset about specialist support provided to Australians who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It considers a person homeless if they are living in non-conventional accommodation (such as living on the street) or short-term or emergency accommodation (such as living temporarily with friends and relatives).
On ABS Census night in 2021, more than 122,000 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness in Australia. Of these, 56% were male, 21% were aged 25-34, and 20% were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people. The highest rate of homelessness was in the Northern Territory (564 people per 10,000 population), while the lowest was in Western Australia (37 people per 10,000). Around 39% of people experiencing homelessness were living in severely crowded dwellings.
Between 2011 and 2021, the increase in the rate of homelessness was primarily due to people living in severely crowded dwellings, increasing from 41,400 people in 2011 to 47,900 in 2021. The overall rate for female clients increased from 124.4 clients per 10,000 population in 2011-12 to 124.6 in 2023-24, while the rate of male clients declined from 87.1 in 2011-12 to 85.3 in 2023-24.
People experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness are among Australia's most socially and economically disadvantaged. Homelessness can result from various factors, including unemployment, poverty, shortage of affordable housing, family breakdown, mental illness, trauma, addiction, and domestic violence. Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia. Young people are particularly vulnerable to becoming homeless due to difficulties in securing long-term accommodation and the impact of poverty and the lack of affordable housing.
In 2023-24, around 109,000 SHS clients had experienced family and domestic violence. Clients with problematic drug or alcohol issues (59% of the cohort), young people aged 15-24 presenting alone (56%), and current or former members of the Australian Defence Force (55%) were more likely to be experiencing homelessness when they first sought support.
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Human rights abuses
Homelessness is a human rights issue in Australia, impacting people's ability to enjoy basic rights and freedoms. It is more than just a housing issue, and it is a product of many other human rights abuses. People who are homeless in Australia face violations of their right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, the right to liberty and security, the right to privacy, the right to social security, the right to freedom from discrimination, the right to vote, and many more. These rights are protected by international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). As a signatory to these treaties, Australia has a legal and moral obligation to uphold and protect the human rights of all its citizens, including the homeless.
The causes of homelessness are complex and varied, and each person's path to homelessness is unique. However, it is often the result of human rights abuses such as poverty, unemployment, a lack of affordable housing, family breakdown, mental illness, addiction, financial difficulty, and social isolation. Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia, and this is a clear violation of human rights. Other recognised definitions of homelessness include Mackenzie and Chamberlain's (1992) definition, which identifies three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary homelessness. Primary homelessness refers to those without conventional accommodation, secondary homelessness involves those moving from one temporary shelter to another, and tertiary homelessness includes those in accommodation that falls below community standards, such as caravan parks.
Homeless people in Australia face significant health problems, which can arise as a direct consequence of their situation. These include malnutrition, dental issues, exposure to violence and victimisation, and the development of chronic ill health. Studies have shown that homeless people die, on average, 22 to 33 years earlier than those who are housed, and much of this mortality gap is due to conditions that could be treated with appropriate healthcare. This highlights the violation of their right to health and the inadequate access to healthcare services for the homeless in Australia.
The Australian government has recognised the issue and has implemented initiatives to address homelessness. The Road Home, launched by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008, aimed to halve homelessness by 2020 and provide supported accommodation to all rough sleepers. The National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) also works towards providing long-term housing for the homeless, improving coordination across housing programs, and reducing the rate of homelessness. Despite these efforts, the rate of homelessness in Australia has fluctuated, with approximately 116,000 people estimated to be homeless on any given night, and the issue continues to be a significant human rights concern.
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Health and social care
Homeless people in Australia are among the country's most socially and economically disadvantaged. They face a higher risk of adverse health, social, and economic outcomes. Experiencing or being at risk of homelessness is associated with a range of health issues, including malnutrition, dental problems, musculoskeletal and skin disorders, respiratory problems, and poor oral health. People who are homeless also have higher rates of drug and alcohol use, mental illness, and chronic illness. They are also more likely to experience violence and victimisation, long-term unemployment, and early death.
There are several barriers that prevent homeless people in Australia from accessing healthcare services. These include the stigma associated with receiving mental health care, physical barriers such as transportation and medication storage, and the complexity of the Australian healthcare system, which includes differing state, federal, and 'out-of-pocket' funding mechanisms. The lack of suitable supported housing options can also lead to people being discharged from hospitals into homelessness.
To address these issues, the Australian government funds housing and homelessness services, mainly delivered by non-government organisations. These services support people experiencing homelessness or those at imminent risk. However, support services have reported a lack of resources as a challenge, impacting their ability to provide adequate care.
To improve the health and social care of homeless people in Australia, a standardised approach to healthcare is needed, along with better coordination between government and private sector agencies. The Australian Human Rights Commission has also recommended ensuring that staff at shelters and refuges receive appropriate training in caring for people with mental illness.
Additionally, addressing the structural drivers of homelessness requires advocacy for health equity through better social policies. This includes improving access to education, employment opportunities, and support services for vulnerable groups such as refugees, asylum seekers, and Indigenous Australians.
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Housing and homelessness services
The Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) is a government-funded initiative that provides support to Australians facing homelessness. SHS agencies receive funding to assist those experiencing homelessness and those at risk. In 2022-23, SHS services supported around 274,000 clients, with 47% experiencing homelessness when they first accessed support. The SHS collection is a national dataset that tracks the support provided to homeless Australians or those at risk. According to the 2021 census, more than 122,000 people were estimated to be homeless in Australia, with a higher proportion of males (56%) and a significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (20%).
The Australian government has also acknowledged the link between homelessness and adverse health, social, and economic outcomes. Studies have shown that people experiencing homelessness in Australia die an average of 22 to 33 years younger than those who are housed. Health problems such as malnutrition, dental issues, exposure to violence, and chronic ill health are common among the homeless population. Therefore, addressing homelessness and providing stable housing is crucial to improving health outcomes for this vulnerable group.
To address the complex causes of homelessness, the Australian government has implemented initiatives such as "The Road Home," launched by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008. This initiative aimed to halve homelessness by 2020 and provide supported accommodation to all rough sleepers. The focus was on early intervention, improving and expanding services, and ensuring sustainable housing. Additionally, the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) defines and measures housing and homelessness services, aiming to deliver long-term housing, support for at-risk individuals, and improving coordination across housing-related programs.
Homelessness in Australia also intersects with human rights issues. The Australian Human Rights Commission recognises that homelessness impacts an individual's ability to enjoy basic rights and freedoms, including the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, the right to privacy, and the right to freedom from discrimination. A human rights approach to homelessness emphasises the need for a comprehensive solution that addresses the varied causes and involves people with lived experiences in developing solutions.
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Causes and effects of homelessness
Homelessness is a significant social issue in Australia, with an estimated 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. The causes of homelessness are diverse and complex, and understanding these causes is crucial to addressing the issue effectively.
One of the primary causes of homelessness in Australia is domestic violence. Other contributing factors include unemployment, poverty, a shortage of affordable housing, mental illness, addiction, financial difficulties, and social isolation. Young people are particularly vulnerable to homelessness due to challenges in securing long-term accommodation and their heightened risk of experiencing poverty and housing shortages.
The effects of homelessness are far-reaching and detrimental. People experiencing homelessness face a higher risk of adverse health, social, and economic outcomes. They are more susceptible to health problems such as malnutrition and dental issues. Homelessness can also expose individuals to violence, victimisation, and long-term unemployment. The lack of stable housing can lead to the development of chronic illnesses, and studies have shown that homeless people have significantly higher mortality rates, dying on average 22 to 33 years younger than those with housing.
The impact of homelessness extends beyond the individual, affecting society as a whole. Homelessness infringes on basic human rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, the right to liberty and security, and the right to privacy. It also places a burden on the healthcare system, as the lack of stable housing contributes to worsening health conditions.
To address homelessness in Australia, various strategies have been proposed and implemented. The Australian government has recognised the issue and has funded Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) to provide support to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These services are primarily delivered by non-government organisations. Initiatives such as "The Road Home" aim to reduce homelessness and offer supported accommodation to those in need. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on early intervention to prevent homelessness and improve social and economic participation.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no internationally agreed-upon definition of homelessness, but in Australia, a person is considered homeless if they do not have access to safe, secure, adequate housing, or if the housing they have access to damages or is likely to damage their health. This includes people living on the streets, in temporary accommodation, or in dwellings that fall below minimum community standards.
The causes of homelessness are numerous and complex, and each individual's path to homelessness is unique. Some of the factors that contribute to homelessness in Australia include unemployment, poverty, shortage of affordable housing, family breakdown, mental illness, addiction, financial difficulty, and domestic violence, which is the single biggest cause of homelessness in the country.
Experiencing homelessness is associated with a higher risk of adverse health, social, and economic outcomes. People facing homelessness are more susceptible to health problems such as malnutrition and dental issues. They may also experience violence, long-term unemployment, and chronic ill health. Studies have shown that homeless people in Australia die an average of 22 to 33 years younger than those who are housed, often due to conditions that could be effectively treated with appropriate healthcare.
Australia has various government-funded Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) that provide support to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The previous Rudd Government had also launched "The Road Home," aiming to halve homelessness by 2020 through early intervention services, improving and expanding those services, and ensuring more connected and responsive support. However, this initiative was not implemented after the government changed. There is ongoing recognition that a comprehensive and integrated approach is required to address the complex causes and effects of homelessness, and to promote and protect the human rights of those affected.
