More than 122,000 people are homeless in Australia with women and children the most affected, according to The Salvation Army.
Contrary to common perceptions, rough sleeping accounts for only 6.2 percent of homelessness in Australia. The most common form is severely overcrowded housing, affecting 39 percent of homeless people.
Almost 289,000 people sought support from The Salvation Army’s homelessness services in the past year.
Women and children account for almost three-quarters of the homeless, while young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also disproportionately represented among the homeless population.
There are nearly 169,000 households on public housing waitlists nationwide, highlighting a housing system under immense strain, the Salvation Army’s Head of Homelessness Jed Donoghue said in a statement.
“Rising rents, limited housing and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are pushing more Australians to breaking point,” Mr Donoghue said.
“We’re seeing working people, families, older women, and young people seeking homelessness support because they simply can’t afford a safe place to live.
“People are living in cars, couch surfing, or staying in overcrowded homes because they have nowhere else to go.”
Meanwhile, at Moreton Bay north of Brisbane, the Peninsula Support Hub has served more than 14,000 free meals in the past year.
The purpose-built facility is home to not-for-profit organisations The Salvation Army and the Breakfast Club which provide services including case management, housing referrals, meal services, laundry and shower facilities.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the charity’s services were invaluable to the community so the Council was continuing to offer both organisations a $1 annual lease.
