1 in 6 were children under the age of 10 (16% or 44,200 clients) 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)
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.
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.
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. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people make up eight percent of older people experiencing homelessness.
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.
In 2016, the Northern Territory had the highest rate of homeless people (about 600 persons per 10,000 population) and Tasmania the lowest (32 per 10,000).
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.
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.
Many live with family, friends, in a vehicle, or in shelters. Others who do live on the streets may find shelter in parks, on beaches, or even under bridges.
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.
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.
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.
Results. The average life span of a homeless person was shorter by about 17.5 years than that recorded for the general population. The average age at death of a homeless male was 56.27 years old (SD 10.38), and 52.00 years old (SD 9.85) of a homeless female.
Nigeria has the world's highest number of homeless people Although there appears to be a precise number of homeless people, it is impossible to track and quantify those who change their state of “homelessness”.
There are social causes of homelessness, such as a lack of affordable housing, poverty and unemployment; and life events which push people into homelessness. People are forced into homelessness when they leave prison, care or the army with no home to go to.
Older women are the fastest growing group to experience homelessness in Australia. The 2016 Census reported that the number of women over 55 experiencing homelessness increased by 31% to 6,866 compared to 2011.
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).
Food, housing and accommodation
Homelessness Australia can help you if you're homeless, or at risk of being homeless. Mission Australia manages community housing across Australia and can help you look for a home. The Red Cross can help you look for suitable shelter.
Causes of homelessness
Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia.
Is being homeless a crime? First, being homeless is not a criminal offence anywhere in Australia. If such a law were passed it would breach multiple long-standing legal principles. It would also breach various domestic and international charters and covenants on citizenship as well as human and civil rights.
“The severe shortage of social and affordable housing, a private rental market that is extremely unaffordable across metro and regional Australia and soaring cost of living are accelerating Australia's housing and homelessness crisis,” Callister said.
Australian policy interest in homelessness started in the early 1970s with the passage of the Homeless Persons Assistance Act (1974).