Homelessness
Recent releases
Demand for SAAP accommodation by homeless people 2007-08: summary (28 May 2009) (media release and publication)
Homeless people in SAAP: SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2007-08, Australia (3 April 2009) (media release and publication)
Popular titles
Australia's welfare 2009 (17 November 2009) (media release and publication)
Australia's health 2008 (24 June 2008) (media release and publication)
Homelessness in Australia
Homelessness is a complex issue, involving more than just a lack of housing. Factors that may increase a person's risk of becoming or remaining homeless can include:
-
Structural factors:
- Poverty
- Unemployment
- Lack of affordable housing
-
Personal circumstances:
- Discrimination
- Poor physical or mental health
- Intellectual disability
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Gambling
- Family and relationship breakdown
- Domestic violence
- Physical and sexual abuse
Services available to homeless or at risk individuals
People experiencing homelessness may access a wide range of general
government services, including:
- General health services
- Drug rehabilitation programs
- General community services
- Housing assistance
There are also programs designed specifically to help people either experiencing or
at risk of homelessness, such as:
- The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP). From 1 January 2009 SAAP has been replaced by the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA). Further information on the NAHA is available from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) [external links].
- The Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP)
- Reconnect [external link], which is an early intervention program for young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.