HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTRALIA

 

DEFINING HOMELESSESS

The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines homelessness as, “When a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives, they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement

  • Is in a dwelling that is inadequate;

  • Has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable; or

  • Does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations”

rates of HOMELESSNESS

This vertical bar chart shows that the rate of homelessness has changed from 50.8 per 10,000 population in 2001, to 45.2 per 10,000 population in 2006, 47.6 per 10,000 in 2011 and 49.8 per 10,000 population in 2016. Most of the increase in homelessness between 2006 and 2016 occurred in persons living in ‘severely’ crowded dwellings, which increased from 15.9 per 10,000 population in 2006 to 21.8 per 10,000 population in 2016.

Homeless definitions and demographics

BARRIERS LIMITING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE


Health issues experienced for homelessness

  • Severe and persistent mental illness

  • Problematic substance use

  • Physical disabilities

  • Chronic physical health issues

  • Metabolic syndrome

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Respiratory conditions – Asthma and COPD

  • Liver disease – chronic viral hepatitis

  • Oral health conditions

  • Cancers


Barriers to accessing services by people experiencing homelessness

  • Lack of awareness of available services

  • Prohibitive costs

  • Lack of transport

  • Level of documentation required E.g. Medicare card

  • Structured appointment systems

  • Stigma and embarrassment

  • Previous negative experiences

  • Distrust in practitioner