The incidence of family and domestic violence leading to homelessness in Queensland has jumped by almost 15 percent, exceeding the national average.
New analysis from Homelessness Australia found violence in the home and cost-of-living were the biggest drivers of homelessness.
Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data showed, across the nation, the top four reasons people sought homelessness help in June this year were family and domestic violence (35,736 people), eviction (34,094), financial difficulty (33,038), and housing affordability stress (32,979).
“People seeking homelessness help because of family and domestic violence is also the homelessness driver that has increased most in the last two years, up 13 percent between June 2023 and June 2025,” Ms Colvin said.
She said people needing homeless help due to housing affordability stress increased by 8.1 percent over two years.
Ms Colvin said in Queensland, during the month of June this year, 5348 people sought homelessness support because of family and domestic violence, up from 4668 in June 2024, an increase of 14.5 percent.
“Of those, 3936 were female clients.”
She said the Queensland data, released to coincide with World Mental Health Day (October 10), showed a further 8059 sought help because of the housing crisis (up from 6993 in 2024), 8380 because of financial difficulties (up from 7677) and 9296 because of housing affordability stress (up from 7994).
“Australians have been calling attention to domestic and family violence and the housing crisis for years. We have sounded the alarm again and again over the risks to safety when survivors have nowhere to go to escape violence.
“This data clearly shows that governments have not done enough to stop rising homelessness and protect victim survivors of violence.”
Ms Colvin said the Federal Government should use the Mid-Year Financial Economic Outlook to turn the tide on rising homelessness by preventing more people from becoming homeless in the first place through early intervention programs, increased income support and more social homes, and matching rising demand for homelessness support with the resources to respond so people in need could connect with the help they needed.
“Today is also World Mental Health Day. The stress and risks of homelessness take a devastating toll on people’s mental health. A secure home and the support people need to keep it are the foundation for positive wellbeing for all of us. We have so much to gain if we take action now,” she said.
