November 17th 2024.
The demand for homelessness services in Australia has reached a critical point as the number of people at risk of homelessness continues to rise. According to the latest Impact Economics report, titled "Call Unanswered," there has been a staggering 63 percent increase in the number of Australians in danger of falling into homelessness between 2016 and 2022. In concrete numbers, this means that in 2016, there were approximately 1.5 to 2 million people at risk, but in 2022, that number skyrocketed to 2.7 to 3.2 million.
The report, which was released today, found that the situation has become dire for many individuals and families. As part of the research, 23 specialist homelessness services were surveyed over a period of two weeks in September 2024. The results were alarming, with the majority of services unable to cope with the overwhelming demand. In fact, 83 percent of services were unable to answer phone calls at times, 74 percent couldn't respond to urgent emails, and almost 40 percent had to close their doors during operating hours.
Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, expressed her concern over the current state of the system. She stated, "Demand for homelessness services has erupted, and the system is so under-resourced that people who are homeless can't get in front of a worker who can help them." She also highlighted the fact that more than three million Australians are now at risk of homelessness, and services are struggling to keep up. As a result, they are forced to turn away families with children on one in five days, a distressing reality that no one should have to face.
One of the key drivers of this crisis is the 17.9 percent increase in people experiencing rental stress since the 2021 Census. This means that more and more people are struggling to afford rent, putting them at risk of homelessness. The report also revealed that Queensland has seen the biggest increase in the number of people at risk, with an 80 percent rise in the last six years. Western Australia also saw a higher-than-average increase at 77 percent. In Victoria and New South Wales, the numbers went up by 67 and 64 percent, respectively, over the same period.
The ACT saw the biggest increase in rental stress, with a staggering 31.3 percent rise. However, it was the only state or territory to see a decrease in the number of people at risk of homelessness, falling by 34 percent between 2016 and 2022. Colvin explained, "People who could have afforded private rentals just a few years ago are now resorting to couch surfing, sleeping in cars or pitching a tent." It's a heartbreaking reality that highlights the urgent need for action.
In response to this crisis, Homelessness Australia has launched the "No one turned away" campaign, which aims to raise awareness and demand for increased funding for homelessness services. The organization is calling for a focus on prevention and the expansion of Housing First programs, which provide immediate and permanent housing for those in need. This way, staff can respond to everyone seeking help, and no one will be turned away. It's a crucial step towards addressing the growing issue of homelessness in Australia.
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