Homelessness in Australia

Kristine R Berg

I just had a look at my Winter Warm Project and what I want to achieve by creating this initiative. My first thought, when I came up with the idea, was simply to help homeless people on the streets of Sydney stay warm over the cold winter months. This still applies, however, I also want to create awareness around homelessness and why it’s so important to provide assistance. I’m yet to fully work out how to achieve this, but I guess it will become a journey for both myself and my community as to what this will look like over time.

I thought I’d start spreading awareness around homelessness by sharing Homelessness Australia’s “Homelessness Statistics” from the National Census in 2016.

Homelessness Australia currently uses statistics from the ABS Census of Housing and Population and the AIHW Specialist Homeless Services data collection for their statistics. The ABS Census is conducted every five years, with the most recent release being for 2016.

Homelessness Australia currently uses statistics from the ABS Census of Housing and Population and the AIHW Specialist Homeless Services data collection for their statistics. The ABS Census is conducted every five years, with the most recent release being for 2016.

116,427 people were counted in the Census as being homeless on Census night (up from 102,439 in 2011)

The rate of homelessness (which takes into account population density) is 50 out of every 10,000 people —up five per cent from the 48 persons in 2011, and up on the 45 persons in 2006

20% (or 23,437) are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (down from 26% in 2011)

30% are born overseas.

State breakdown

  • NSW 37,715 (50.4 people per 10,000) +37% since 2011
  • VIC 24,817 (41.9 people per 10,000) +11% since 2011
  • QLD 21,671 (46.1 people per 10,000) +14% since 2011
  • SA 6,224 (37.1 people per 10,000) +7% since 2011
  • WA 9,005 (36.4 people per 10,000) -2% since 2011
  • TAS 1,622 (31.8 people per 10,000) +6% since 2011
  • NT 13,717 (599.4 people per 10,000) +11% since 2011
  • ACT 1,596 (40.2 people per 10,000) -8% since 2011

Where are people staying?

  • Improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out 7% (8,200)
  • Supported accommodation for the homeless 18% (21,235)
  • Staying temporarily with other households 15% (17,725)
  • Boarding houses 15% (17,503)
  • Other temporary lodging 1% (678)
  • “Severely” overcrowded dwellings 44% (51,088)

How old are they? **

  • Under 12 14% (15,872) +11% since 2011
  • 12-18 10% (10,913) 
  • 19-24 15% (15,325)
  • 25-34 18% (19,312)
  • 35-44 14% (14,484)
  • 45-54 12% (12,507)
  • 55-64 8% (8,649)
  • 65-74 4% (4,174)
  • 75 and over 2% (2,028)

For more information, check out Homelessness Australia’s webpage:https://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/