Overstretched and overwhelmed: the strain on homelessness services - Relentless rent increases and

AUGUST 2023 HOMELESSNESS AUSTRALIA OVERSTRETCHED AND OVERWHELMED: THE STRAIN ON HOMELESSNESS SERVICES | 1 Overstretched and overwhelmed: the strain on homelessness services Relentless rent increases and record low vacancy rates are driving more Australians into homelessness and services are unable to keep up with demand. [...] Note: all the data on monthly homelessness statistics in this reeport is drawn from the AIHW monthly data report AUGUST 2023 HOMELESSNESS AUSTRALIA OVERSTRETCHED AND OVERWHELMED: THE STRAIN ON HOMELESSNESS SERVICES | 3 Women and YOUNGER WOMEN AND CHILDREN THE BIGGEST GROUPS children NEEDING SUP. [...] were women and children, and 31% Unable to provide long-term 79% were under 18.4 However, a recent survey of services housing conducted by Everybody’s Home to Increased waitlists / waiting The turn away rates recorded determine the impact of the housing times 73% in homelessness data account crisis revealed that 95 per cent of Unable to meet client needs 67% for people who contacted a survey respo. [...] neglect, the biggest drivers of homelessness for women and for children and young people, and for people to receive the health, disability, education and other community supports that they need to thrive. [...] To end homelessness If the Government sets an ambitious goal to end homelessness, and we need a plan to end establishes targets to reduce homelessness homelessness over time, and ultimately to end homelessness, the scope of reform needed to achieve In 2023, the Federal Government this goal could be delivered.8 will begin the process of developing a 10-year National Housing and Homelessness Plan.