New data from the Productivity Commission reveals a staggering 25% increase in long-term homelessness, highlighting a growing crisis exacerbated by a housing shortage and rising living costs. In the 2023-24 period, 37,779 individuals faced persistent homelessness—up from 30,306 in 2019-20, marking a 26.3% rise.
Persistent homelessness is defined as living without stable housing for over seven months in a two-year span, affecting more than one in five individuals seeking support services.
Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, described the statistics as “grim findings.” She emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, “More Australians than ever are trapped in long-term homelessness, and even those who secure housing struggle to maintain it without adequate support.”
The report highlights a distressing trend: each day, an average of 208 people seeking accommodation are turned away, leading to 53,292 individuals—one in three needing assistance—receiving no housing support throughout the year.
Colvin reiterated the call for increased funding for homelessness services, asserting that “sustained investment” is essential for breaking the cycle of homelessness.
According to the last census, over 120,000 people were homeless in 2021, equating to nearly 50 individuals per 10,000. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the need for effective solutions has never been more critical.
+ There are no comments
Add yours