Summary
This publication is one of eight state and territory supplements that accompany the 2010–11 annual report on the use of government-funded specialist homelessness services in Australia (AIHW 2011a). Information to aid readers in interpreting the data is presented in the national report and appendixes (AIHW 2011).
In line with the national picture, Tasmanian service users:
- were mostly female
- were often relatively young
- were mostly non-Indigenous, however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were over-represented relative to their population size
- commonly sought support because of issues in their interpersonal relationships— such as the breakdown of a relationship with a family member, spouse or partner—or because of accommodation-related issues
- immediately on exit from support, were most often living in a house or flat; were not employed; and had a government pension or benefit as their main source of income.
Some other points of interest in Tasmania were:
- the rate of use of specialist homelessness services was higher than the national average
- there was a higher proportion of male clients than in other jurisdictions
- seeking support because of accommodation-related issues was relatively high compared with nationally
- the length of support was longer than the national average
- the length of accommodation was shorter than the national average.