Homelessness in Australia

[1] A majority of people experiencing homelessness long-term in Australia are found in the large cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Some other reasons for homelessness are addictions, mental illness, exiting care (foster care system or prison system), barriers facing refugees, debt, disability, unemployment, lack of support, blacklisting, poverty, and being kicked out of home.

[14] This White Paper sets an ambitious target to halve homelessness by 2020 and offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who need it.

"[13] NAHA's mandate includes a) social housing; assistance to people in the private rental market; support and accommodation for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; and home purchase assistance; b) (b) working towards improving coordination across housing related programs to make better use of existing stock and under-utilised Government assets and achieve better integration between housing and human services, including health and disability services; and c) reducing the rate of homelessness.

The total annual NPAH funding is around $250 million per year which is directed to around 800 homelessness services around Australia.

[19] In 2016, homelessness services across Australia began a #SaveNPAH campaign to ensure the Australian Government renews the funding package past 2017.

[20][21][22] The #SaveNPAH campaign succeeded in part, with the Australian government committing to a one year extension of funding.

[23][24] In South Australia, the State Government of Premier Mike Rann (2002 to 2011) committed substantial funding to a series of initiatives designed to combat homelessness.

Advised by Social Inclusion Commissioner David Cappo and the founder of New York's Common Ground program, Rosanne Haggerty, the Rann Government established Common Ground Adelaide[25] building high quality inner city apartments (combined with intensive support) for "rough sleeping" homeless people.

The website was developed by Infoxchange in partnership with Google, REA Group and News Corp.[26][27] In the mid-1970s, evidence began to emerge that the traditional homelessness population predominantly consisting of middle aged or older males was changing.

This change in demographic increased the demands made on the non-government welfare sector to accommodate homeless youth.

The project was funded by the Australian Research Council with industry partners the Salvation Army, Anglicare and Mission Australia.

They develop and bring together knowledge to understand current social challenges and opportunities to create a better world.