Australia's Homelessness Services Face Unprecedented Demand for Support
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Synopsis
A recent surge in demand for homelessness services in Australia highlights the worsening housing crisis. A survey reveals increased workloads, long waitlists, and a lack of resources for support organizations. Many retired Australians renting are also living in poverty, exacerbating the situation.
Key Takeaways
- 87% of organizations report increased workloads.
- Two-thirds unable to provide long-term housing solutions.
- 71.7% reported longer waitlists for clients.
- 37,779 Australians facing persistent homelessness.
- High poverty rates among retired renters.
Sydney, Feb 10 (NationPress) Australia's homelessness services are witnessing a significant spike in the demand for assistance as the nation grapples with a severe housing crisis.
A recent survey by NGO Everybody's Home found that a staggering 87 percent of Australia's frontline homeless support organizations faced a considerable rise in their workloads during December and January compared to prior years.
Of those surveyed, 98 percent indicated increased workloads last year and anticipate that demand will keep escalating in 2025.
Approximately two-thirds of these organizations reported they have been unable to offer long-term housing solutions to clients, with 71.7 percent witnessing longer waitlists, and half claiming they have fewer resources available per client than the previous year.
Maiy Azize, a spokesperson for Everybody's Home, stated that organizations reported experiencing the worst summer on record as soaring rental prices and the ever-increasing cost of living take their toll on Australians.
Azize emphasized, “The services at the coalface of Australia’s housing crisis are at breaking point. They can barely keep up with the rising number of people facing housing stress and homelessness,” in a statement released on Monday.
A separate report issued on the same day by the Grattan Institute, based in Melbourne, revealed that two-thirds of retired Australians renting in the private market live in poverty, according to the Xinhua news agency.
The report highlighted that over 70 percent of retired single women and men who rent are living in poverty.
Data from the government agency Productivity Commission released at the end of January indicated that 37,779 Australians are facing persistent homelessness in 2023-2024, an increase from 30,306 individuals in 2019-2020.
Experiencing homelessness can lead to exposure to violence and victimization, result in prolonged unemployment, and contribute to chronic health issues. Individuals facing homelessness exhibit significantly higher mortality rates and chronic illness compared to the general population.
