The Australian Scene: Homelessness

Homelessness Australia was defunded by the Federal Government in December 2014. It now operates on a voluntary basis and has no employed staff. Homelessness Australia (HA) is the national peak body for homelessness in Australia. We provide systemic advocacy for the homelessness sector. HA does not provide or manage accommodation or deliver direct client services. Instead we work with a large network of organisations to provide a unified voice when it comes to preventing and responding to homelessness.

Australia's homelessness figures are going in the wrong direction, and housing experts warn we're about to recommit to a failing policy.

Homelessness continues to be a contentious issue in Australia. Earlier this year, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton asserted: There’s no reason people should be sleeping on the street, there are no reasons people should be homeless … There’s more than enough beds and accommodation for people to access.

"Homelessness is a defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as a lack of suitable accommodation alternatives. It is a problem in our communities that goes beyond ‘rooflessness’ and a lack of access to safe shelter ... "

"... Homelessnes has long been falsely equated with sleeping rough but in reality that makes up only a small proportion ..."

"Almost 300,000 people sought help from a homelessness agency in past year, with over 55s the fastest growing cohort, new report shows ... "