According to the most recent Census, over 122,000 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness. But what is homelessness exactly?

Whichever definition you consult, homelessness is a complex issue that extends far beyond not having a roof over your head. It is about an absence of safety, security, stability, privacy and basic comfort.

In this article, we explain what it means to be homeless, who is most at risk, how and why. Keep reading to learn more about this critical issue in Australia – plus how Home In Place can help those in need of accommodation.

What is homelessness?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines a person as experiencing homelessness when they have no suitable housing options and their current living situation:

• is within inadequate accommodation
• lacks a secure, stable or extendable tenure
• does not allow them to have control of and access to space for social activities.

Therefore, while street homelessness is the most visible form, it actually makes up just 6% of the homeless population. For countless others – men, women, youth, and children – homelessness looks very different.

Some are forced to couch surf, sleep in cars, or find refuge in temporary accommodation. Others endure life in severely overcrowded spaces or substandard shelters like boarding houses, all of which fall far short of providing a stable home. These ‘hidden’ forms of homelessness are equally pressing and demand our attention.

There are varying definitions of homelessness used around the world, all of which attempt to cover this diverse experience.

United Nations

The United Nations classifies homeless individuals into two main categories.

• Primary homelessness. This group consists of individuals living on the streets without any form of shelter that would be considered living quarters.
• Secondary homelessness. This group includes individuals who lack a permanent residence and frequently move between different types of accommodations, such as temporary dwellings, shelters, or institutions for the homeless. It also includes those living in private homes who report having ‘no usual address’ on their census forms.

Mackenzie and Chamberlain

Mackenzie and Chamberlain’s definition, which was adopted by the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Homelessness in 2001, remains a widely accepted framework within the homelessness sector.

This definition acknowledges the manifold experiences of homelessness by categorising it into three distinct groups.

• Primary homelessness. Refers to individuals who lack conventional housing, like those sleeping rough or in improvised shelters.
• Secondary homelessness. This applies to individuals who often move between temporary accommodations, such as emergency shelters, youth refuges, or those who “couch surf.”
• Tertiary homelessness. Involves individuals living in accommodation that fails to meet the minimum community standards, for example, boarding houses or caravan parks.

Keep reading to discover the groups most likely to face this challenging experience in Australia.

Who is most vulnerable to experiencing homelessness?

No one is immune to the risk of homelessness. This experience can impact people from all demographics, backgrounds and circumstances.

That said, research suggests that certain groups are more vulnerable than others, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, youths, and older women.

Indigenous communities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent just 3.2% of the Australian population but make up 20% of those experiencing homelessness.

These communities endure relatively high levels of overcrowded living conditions, which adds to their vulnerability.

Under 18s

Children and young people, especially those in single-parent households or fleeing domestic violence, are susceptible to homelessness.

In 2021-22, almost 30% of those getting help from specialist homelessness services were under 18.

Learn more about youth homelessness.

Women over 55

Homelessness among women aged 55 and over is on the rise. Currently more than 7,300 older women are experiencing homelessness.

Often falling under the ‘hidden homelessness’ category, lots of these women frequently move between the homes of family or friends or live in overcrowded housing.

Read on to discover why and how these people, plus many others, fall into a detrimental cycle of homelessness.

Causes of homelessness in Australia

Homelessness in Australia is a complex issue arising from a combination of systemic, structural, and personal factors.

Many people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless face serious challenges such as mental health problems, substance abuse, and unstable relationships. These difficulties are often worsened by family breakdowns, traumatic experiences, financial troubles, and social isolation.

Beyond personal issues, structural problems also play a major role. For example, a significant shortage of social and affordable housing in Australia means many people experiencing homelessness have nowhere to turn.

Additionally, weak support systems for those dealing with poverty or job loss, along with poor planning for people leaving hospitals, prisons, and mental health facilities, add to the prevalence of homelessness.

However, research suggests that the primary cause of homelessness in Australia is domestic violence. This danger forces many women and children to leave their homes, often without a safe place to go. In 2019-2020, 41% of those seeking specialist homelessness services were escaping domestic and family violence.

To tackle this intricate issue, we must address its root causes while helping those with nowhere to call home access safe and stable housing.

Learn more about the causes of homelessness.

A word on long-term homelessness

Long-term homelessness can manifest in various ways, from extended periods of couch surfing to fluctuating between temporary shelters and returning to the streets over several years.

It’s rarely the result of a single issue. Instead, there is often a complex web of challenges that intensify over time, making the situation increasingly difficult to escape.

For example, research suggests a deeply interconnected cycle where trauma, mental health struggles, social disadvantage, and homelessness feed into each other, each factor amplifying the others and creating obstacles to recovery.

To illustrate, a traumatic experience could spark severe anxiety that prevents someone from maintaining a job. In turn, this might lead to financial difficulties that make renting, let alone purchasing, a home impossible.

Discover secure and affordable housing in Australia

Everyone deserves access to a safe, appropriate and affordable housing.

At Home In Place, we help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness obtain this basic human right by providing community housing and affordable housing. We also provide emergency temporary accommodation to those in need.

Explore housing options in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland or contact our friendly team for personalised support today.