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 in Australia?
According to the most recent Census, over 122,000 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness. But what criteria are used to label this diverse experience?
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, and 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.
Definitions of homelessness
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and Australian Bureau of Statistics define homelessness as experiencing a “lack of suitable accommodation alternatives”, with a current living space that:
- Is in an inadequate dwelling; or
- Has no tenure, or tenure is short and not extendable; or
- Does not allow control over or access to space for social relations.
In other words, a person is considered to be experiencing homelessness if their current living arrangement lacks privacy, security, or sufficient access to space. That includes people living in crisis accommodation, temporary housing, or severely crowded dwellings.
This definition reflects the Australian cultural standard of home — not merely a roof overhead, but a safe and secure environment that allows for social connection and personal control.
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’ types of homelessness are equally pressing and demand our attention.
The United Nations definition of homelessness
The United Nations (UN) adopts a human rights-based focus, defining homelessness as “a condition where an individual or household lacks stable, safe, and adequate housing.”
Individuals with homelessness fall into two broad groups:
- 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 comprises individuals who lack permanent residence and frequently move between various types of accommodations, including temporary accommodations, shelters, and institutions for the homeless. It also includes those living in private dwellings who report having ‘no usual address’ on their census forms.
The UN’s approach highlights housing as a fundamental right, emphasising dignity, safety, and long-term stability rather than just physical shelter.
The Mackenzie and Chamberlain definition of homelessness
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, such as people sleeping rough or living 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 under the age of 18, 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.
Moreover, people who spend long periods without stable housing are far more likely to develop serious and overlapping health issues, from chronic pain and cognitive decline to diabetes and heart disease. Reports have shown that Australians experiencing homelessness die at an average age of about 44, often from illnesses that could have been treated earlier.
Structural problems play a major role in exacerbating these personal issues. For example, without stable accommodation, access to healthcare becomes harder, health problems escalate, and people are pushed into cycles of crisis that could otherwise be prevented.
The chronic underfunding of specialised homelessness health services, weak support systems for those dealing with poverty or unemployment, and poor planning for people leaving hospitals, prisons, and mental health facilities, add to the prevalence of homelessness.
Additionally, a significant shortage of affordable and social housing in Australia means many people experiencing homelessness have nowhere to turn.
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.
“Tackling homelessness in Australia in 2025 means facing some uncomfortable truths. The shortage of affordable homes, rising rents and growing health and cost of living pressures are pushing more people into crisis,” explains Michelle Faithfull, Home in Place Events and Partnerships Manager and the coordinator of Hunter Homeless Connect Day for the past 8 years.
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 and their consequences.
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 intensifies over time, making the situation increasingly difficult to escape.
For example, research suggests a deeply interconnected cycle where trauma, mental illness, 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.
Community support in action
Tackling homelessness demands a united response. No single organisation or sector can address this crisis alone—it requires collaboration across government agencies, non-profits, and local communities.
That’s why Home In Place is at the forefront with our Modern Homelessness Campaign, calling on the government to commit to building 1 in every 10 new homes to deliver safe and sustainable housing solutions. Through advocacy, support for housing initiatives, and active community involvement, we can all contribute to building a future where no one is left without a place to call home.
Michelle’s story: Finding stability after crisis
Michelle Pittman’s experience of homelessness was much more than the absence of accommodation; it was the aftermath of escaping domestic violence and having to rebuild every part of her life. When she and her young son were forced to leave their home in New South Wales, they had nowhere safe or stable to go.
After years of uncertainty, becoming a Home in Place tenant gave Michelle the secure foundation she needed to start over.
“To be on the journey with someone who needs housing is something I really want to do,” she says — a reflection of how far she has come and how deeply she understands the power of stable housing.
Today, Michelle is part of a 12-month cadetship with Homes NSW (formerly NSW Land and Housing Corporation) and the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA), hosted by Home in Place.
The program has given her the opportunity to start a new career in community housing, a field where her personal experience of homelessness and recovery is not a setback, but a strength.
Michelle’s journey from crisis to recovery is a powerful reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone. However, with the right housing support services, people can find stability, safety, and hope again.
As Ms Faithfull highlights, “housing providers have a pivotal role to play because we can do more than just hand over a set of keys. We can create safe, stable homes, link people with support and work alongside services and government to make sure homelessness is rare, brief and not repeated.”
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 or contact our friendly team for personalised support today.
