Clients accessing services in 3, 4 or 5 years
Of the 86,400 older clients accessing services from SHS agencies between 2013–14 and 2017–18, 11% (9,700 clients) received services in 3, 4 or 5 years (Figure 13). Unlike the other client groups, there was little difference in the proportion of males (49%) and females (51%) who accessed services in 3, 4 or 5 years, yet consistent with the other groups; male service intensity was higher than females.
Figures for this client group can be found in the section 'All clients between 2013–14 to 2017–18'.
Age profile
Of older SHS clients receiving services in 3, 4 or 5 years between 2013–14 and 2017–18:
- This group had a younger age profile than the other service use intensity groups.
- Most were aged 55–64 (70%); 22% of the clients were aged 65–74 and 8% were aged 75 and over.
- There were similar proportions of female and male clients aged 55–64 and 65–74; the proportion of females was higher than males aged 75 and over (Supplementary table 11).
State/territory
Of the 9,700 clients who received services in 3, 4 or 5 years, half of clients accessed services in Victoria (50%) followed by New South Wales (22%) and Queensland (14%) (Figure 14). Victoria had the highest proportion of females (55% of clients) compared with Tasmania which had the lowest (36%).
Of older SHS clients receiving services in 3, 4 or 5 years between 2013–14 and 2017–18, clients in:
- Tasmania had the highest average number of nights of accommodation (319 nights per client) followed by the Australian Capital Territory (199).
- Tasmania had the largest difference in the average nights of accommodation between males (411 nights) and females (155) (Supplementary table 12).
Vulnerability
Of the 9,700 older clients who received services in 3, 4 or 5 years, the majority (73%) reported experiencing one or more vulnerabilities (mental health issues, family and domestic violence and/or problematic drug/alcohol use), and the remaining (27%) did not. Around 25% reported mental health issues only, 13% reported both family and domestic violence and mental health issues and 7% ever reported experiencing all 3 vulnerabilities (Figure 15). The vulnerability profile for clients in this cohort was the highest of all 3 cohorts.
There were differences for males and females in this client group, including:
- Almost 1 in 3 (31%) males and 23% of females reported no vulnerabilities.
- A higher proportion of females reported both family and domestic violence and mental health issues (22% of females compared with 3% of males) while males were more likely to report mental health issues only (29% of males compared with 22% of females) (Supplementary table 13).
Of older SHS clients receiving services in 3, 4 or 5 years between 2013–14 and 2017–18:
- Males who experienced all 3 vulnerabilities were more intense users of SHS services. They received a median of 395 days of support and an average of 171 nights of accommodation compared with females (336 days and 120 nights).
Disability
Of the 6,500 total older clients who reported that they always or sometimes needed assistance with self–care, mobility and communication, around 1 in 4 (23%) received services in 3, 4 or 5 years between 2013–14 and 2017–18 (Figure 16).
Of older SHS clients with a disability and receiving services in 3, 4 or 5 years between 2013–14 and 2017–18:
- A higher proportion of males (52%) than females (48%) reported that they always or sometimes needed assistance, which is different from other client groups.
- Males received an average of 10 support periods and 122 nights of accommodation compared with females who received an average of 7 support periods and 119 nights per client (Supplementary table 14).
References
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) 2019. Specialist Homelessness Services Annual report 2017–18. Cat. no. HOU 299. Canberra: AIHW.