Australian Homelessness Facts
On any given night in Australia 1 in 200 people are homeless
255,657 people received support and almost seven million nights of accommodation were provided by specialist homelessness services in 2014-15.
What is homelessness?
Homelessness Australia uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) statistical definition of homelessness. The ABS statistical definition states that when a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:
- is in a dwelling that is inadequate; or
- has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not
extendable; or - does not allow them to have control of, and access to
space for social relations.
People who are experiencing homelessness are usually
staying in the following areas:
- Improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out
- Supported accommodation for the homeless