1 in 8 were children and youth aged 10–17 (12% or 34,300 clients) the largest age group of adult clients were aged 25–34 (18% of all clients or 51,900 clients) about 13,300 were women aged 55 or older (8% of total female clients) and 10,600 were men aged 55 or older (9.5% of total male clients)
When you review the history of homelessness, other groups of people are also more likely to become homeless. This includes people with physical and mental disabilities; people experiencing alcoholism and substance use; women, children, and youth; and seniors.
In 2016, around 19,400 children (0.4%) aged 0–14 were homeless on Census night. In 2017–18, almost half of children (45% or 29,600) receiving specialist homelessness services accessed these services for interpersonal reasons such as domestic and family violence or family breakdown.
Of the 122,494 people experiencing homelessness in 2021: 25,504 (20.8%) were aged from 25 to 34 years. 17,646 (14.4%) were aged under 12 years. 17,085 (13.9%) were aged from 35 to 44 years.
One in seven people who were homeless on census night in 2021 were aged 55 and over. On any given night, around 19,300 people aged 55 and above are homeless.
The number of homeless children aged 18 and under is also declining. Thirty-two per cent of Australia's homeless population lives in NSW.
Childhood is a critical time, affecting our health, development, and setting the foundations for the rest of our lives. Sadly, around 19,400 children aged 0-14 are homeless in Australia.
There are no internationally agreed upon definitions of homelessness, making it difficult to compare levels of homelessness across countries. A majority of people experiencing homelessness long-term in Australia are found in the large cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
One in 20 experienced homelessness for the first time
Based on survey data from over 20,000 Australians aged between 15-19 years, our research reveals that one in 20 survey respondents were homeless for the first time during the peak of the pandemic (between 2020-2021).
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows homelessness is surging. New figures show nearly 123,000 people were without a home on Census night 2021 - around 6,000 more than at the previous count in 2016. It represents a 5.2 per cent lift in homelessness over five years.
Homelessness can be caused by:
A shortage of affordable housing. Physical and/or mental health issues. Unemployment or job loss. Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.
California accounts for about a third of the nation's homeless people, and among this population, seniors are estimated to be the fastest-growing group. One key indicator is the state's tally of people accessing homelessness services.
Boarding Houses: Affordable boarding houses are available to those who do not have their own homes. Unfortunately, these dwellings are usually not safe and secure with many people sharing facilities. Other temporary lodgings: Some homeless people find themselves living in cheap motels and caravan parks.
In an interview with the RT TV Network featured on YouTube, American homeless service manager Alec Rosen revealed that the average age of a homeless person in America was 11.
In any given year, between 3% and 12% of single mothers contacting us for information and assistance, describe themselves as homeless.
Causes of homelessness
Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia.
Eligible recipients who have difficulty managing their finances to the end of a fortnight may include those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with mental health issues, or gambling and/or substance addictions. Some victims of domestic violence may also be offered weekly payments.
down-and-out. drifter. hobo. homeless person. shopping-bag lady.
Australia's current housing crisis is driven by the nation's unique demographics and a shortage of available residential land near jobs and services, with the impact of interest rates and government homebuyer subsidies often overstated.
California, New York and Florida have the largest homeless populations. Across the three heavily populated states, more than 270,000 people are homeless — nearly half of the U.S. homeless population. North Dakota, Wyoming and Mississippi have the smallest homeless populations.
While more than half of Australians experiencing homelessness were men - at 55.9 per cent - the number of women without a home surged by 10.1 per cent in the five-year period from the last census, compared with a 1.6 per cent increase for men.