Summary
national annual report on the use of government-funded specialist homelessness services (AIHW 2011a). Information to aid readers in interpreting the data is presented in the national report and appendixes (AIHW 2011i).
In line with the national picture, in the Australian Capital Territory:
- the majority of clients were female
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were over-represented relative to their population size
- clients commonly sought support because of issues in their interpersonal relationships, such as the breakdown of a relationship with a family member, spouse or partner
- immediately following support, most clients were living in a house or flat, they were not employed, and their main source of income was a government pension or benefit.
Some other points of interest in the Australian Capital Territory were:
- the rate of use of specialist homelessness services was slightly higher than the national average
- the age profile of clients was younger than in other jurisdictions
- seeking support primarily because of the breakdown of a family or other relationship was the highest nationally
- the lengths of support and accommodation were the longest nationally and were far longer than those in other jurisdictions
- clients were more often living in public housing before and after support than those in other jurisdictions
- clients were more often employed both before and after support than those in other jurisdictions.