Publications

“Poverty is not caused only by individual circumstances, but also by major inequalities built into the structure of Australian society. Some of the main causes of this inequality and poverty are access to work and income, education, housing, health and community services”.

Source: Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) (2011). Poverty and its Causes. Poverty Report Update, page 8.

"Australia and its jurisdictions need a tailored response that raises policy to the forefront in regard to the issue of older women and their financial and housing insecurity and the impact of financial and housing insecurity on their health, wellbeing, participation and independence."

"Remembrance Day 2017 falls within the last year of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia. The Royal Commission has brought national attention to the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse and related issues within institutional settings: institutions which were established to care for, protect, nurture and educate children.

Instead, cultures of neglect and secrecy were created for the purpose of protecting institutions, and covering up criminal activities and abuse of power, leaving the legacy of lifetimes of pain and loss for victims and survivors of the abuse.

Many reports have validated that abuse and crimes did occur, as well as the impact on children throughout their adult life.

The Royal Commission has had the power and mandate to put on public record the responses and, in many cases, the cover-ups by the institutions when abuse and or crimes were reported by children or other adults.

We pay tribute to each of you with us today. We remember those who have passed away and those at home."

Excessive inequality in any society is harmful. When people with low incomes and wealth are left behind, they struggle to reach a socially acceptable living standard and to participate in society.

For more information visit ACOSS Inequality webpage.

We support First Peoples to achieve:

• justice, after decades of dispossession and dislocation
• protection of rights, to live without racial discrimination
• connection to land, culture, family and community of choice
• financial and social inclusion.

In particular, we are committed to work in partnership to close the gap in life expectancy between the First Peoples and the wider Australian population.

It brings together numerous existing data sets, in addition to in-depth interviews with a wide range of policymakers, service provider representatives and advocacy organisations; as well as an online survey of service providers.

Key findings
Australia’s homelessness problem is getting worse:

• Homelessness in Australia is outpacing population growth.
• Rough sleeping levels are increasing.
• Severe overcrowding is the largest group.
• Older Australians increasingly experience homelessness.
• Indigenous Australians are overrepresented.
• There’s increased demand for homelessness specialist services.
• The main reasons for seeking assistance are changing.

Read about the more detailed findings, the complex causes of homelessness and more in the overview document and full report below.

The State of Homelessness in Australia’s Cities: A Health and Social Cost Too High represents the first analysis of the consolidated Registry Week data across Australia. The consolidated Registry Week data provides the largest and richest collection of information on people experiencing homelessness in Australian capital and regional cities outside the Census and the national administrative data for homelessness services, the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection.

The report aims to:

1. Provide a profile of the backgrounds of people experiencing homelessness in Australia.
2. Examine the length of time those interviewed have spent homeless and have been without stable accommodation.
3. Assess the medical conditions and healthcare needs of those experiencing homelessness, their current use of healthcare, and the accompanying costs to the healthcare system.
4. Understand the history of interaction with the justice system of those experiencing homelessness, and their current exposure to harm and risk.
5. Examine the financial circumstances of those experiencing homelessness and their social needs.
6. Detail in the words of those interviewed what they feel they need in order to be safe and well.
7. Provide recommendations for future strategies and studies that aim to inform best practice approaches to ending homelessness in Australia.