A troubling new report from UNSW and Homelessness Australia reveals that an additional 10,000 Australians are falling into homelessness each month, marking a 22% increase over the past three years.
The research shows that of these newly homeless individuals, nearly half were either couch surfing or living in temporary accommodation, while over 4,600 people were forced to sleep rough on the streets.
The surge in homelessness affects a broadening demographic, including employed Australians. The proportion of working people requiring homelessness services has risen from 10.9% to 15.3% over the past five years, representing an increase of 33,000 individuals.
"We see people who have income, who are teachers or nurses, but will be working part-time and can't cover the cost of living," says Christine Haggard, team leader at VincentCare. Her organization assists 150 people daily and maintains a social housing waitlist exceeding 300 people.
The primary driver behind this crisis is the dramatic rise in rental costs. UNSW City Futures Research Centre's Hal Pawson points to a "29% real increase over four years" in rent prices when accounting for inflation.
The situation is particularly dire in New South Wales, where rough sleeping has increased by 51% since 2020. Older Australians represent the fastest-growing group affected by homelessness, with a 31% increase among those aged 65 or older in the past six years.
While homelessness services help 95,000 people monthly, the system is struggling to cope with demand. The number of social housing units has declined from over 6% in the 1990s to barely 4% by 2021.
Despite plans to build 50,000 new social homes this decade, Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin emphasizes the need for immediate action: "Funding for homelessness services has failed to rise to meet demand and the whole system is buckling under the pressure."
The report calls for emergency investment in homelessness services to address what has become a national crisis, ensuring support remains available for those in need.