Facts and Figures

• Each day 1 in every 200 Australians are homeless, without safe, secure or affordable housing.

• More than 160,000 Australians experience homelessness each year. One in every 3 homeless Australians is a child.

• Every day, half the people who request immediate accommodation from the homeless service system are turned away. Two in every 3 children who need support are also turned away from homeless assistance services each day.

• In 1996 and 2001 the Census indicated that on any given night at least 100,000 Australians are homeless.

• Where homeless Australians are staying: approximately half are staying temporarily with relatives and friends; 20% are living in boarding housings and other temporary accommodation; 15% are sleeping rough on the streets of our cities and towns; 15% find a bed in the homeless service system.

• On Census night 2001, an estimated 14,200 people were in the most extreme situation – 'sleeping rough' (i.e. in improvised dwellings or tents, or in streets, parks, cars or derelict buildings). A similar number of people (14,300) were staying in emergency or transitional housing, principally in the network of refuges or shelters in the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP). A further, large group were defined as homeless because they were staying with another household and had no usual residence (48,600). Finally, 22,900 people living in boarding houses were included in the homeless count. In total, 99,900 people were estimated to be homeless on Census night 2001.

• Several factors which have been changing the nature of homelessness in recent years: changes to family formation including increased family breakdowns; deinstitutionalisation of people with psychiatric illness and physical and intellectual disabilities; increases in the incidence of women and children fleeing domestic violence; a decrease in rooming house and other low-cost accommodation; shifts in the pattern of substance abuse and the availability of illicit drugs; changes to the structure of the labour market so that there are fewer jobs for low-skilled people.

• Close to half of the 99,900 homeless people were less than 25 years of age (46%), with those aged 12-18 years a prominent group (26% of all homeless people). There were more homeless males than females (58% compared with 42%). In age groups over 34 years, men made up around two-thirds of homeless people.

• More women experience homelessness than men. Domestic violence is the major cause of homelessness for women.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over- represented in the homeless service system. While they comprise 2-3% of the total population in Australia, they represent 16% of people using homeless assistance services.

• Homelessness and mental illness is closely associated with substance abuse, poor employment prospects, and the inability to secure and maintain accommodation.

• When clients and the children accompanying them are considered together, it is estimated that 1 in every 128 Australians received substantial SAAP support at some time during 2004-05. SAAP agencies supported an estimated 157,200 people during 2004-05. Of these, 100,400 were adults or unaccompanied children and 56,800 were accompanying children.

• 1 in every 50 Australian children under 5 will access a homeless assistance service this year.
The trauma and stress of homelessness affects children in different ways and at different developmental stages.

• Children experience a number of negative educational, social and health consequences as a result of being homeless. Homeless children spend less time in school, have lower immunisation rates, display behavioural problems such as aggression, and experience psych-ological problems such as depression and low self-esteem. Parents in homeless families are also likely to be suffering from depression or stress which may mean they are unable to give their children adequate attention or affection.

• 34,400 independent young people aged between 12 and 25 were accommodated in the homelessness service system in 2004-05. There are more young women who are homeless than young men. One in every 50 young women between 18 and 19 will stay in a homeless assistance service this year.

• Young people face a hard time finding somewhere safe and secure to live. Homelessness makes it more difficult for them to maintain support, connect with their community and participate in education, training and employment. Young people who experience homeless-ness are at increased risk of experiencing ongoing homelessness as adults.

• Family breakdown and domestic violence are two of the primary reasons young women seek support from homeless assistance services.

• If you are under 18, you have no absolute right to leave home, although someone over 16 would normally not be forced to return home against their wishes. (You will also not be forced to return home to a violent or abusive situation.)

• Your parents' attitude, your level of maturity, whether you have access to satisfactory accommodation and income are all important factors. If you are under 18 and planning to leave home, make sure you have a safe place to live and can support yourself financially.