Homelessness is on the rise in Australia but collectively, government services have been meeting the demand more consistently. Reports form the Australian Government Productivity Commission mapped an 8.13% increase in the number of the countries homeless between 2011 to 2015. However the figure for people experiencing repeat periods of homelessness within the same period has decreased.
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The results are slow burning but are indicative of a bettered understanding of the complexities of the issue. Funding to the housing and homelessness sector has enabled a more efficient response, with sustainable outcomes. In the past 5 years, the average daily number of unassisted requests for support regarding accommodation has decreased 7%.
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Susan Barton, CEO of the Lighthouse Foundation, said that it’s important to remember the individuals in the cycle of homelessness, particularly Australia’s youth. She said, “We need to advocate for a system that’s long term, not just focused on a roof over their head but attachment and caring so that these people feel like they belong to the community”
“Systems don’t look after children, people look after children”, Susan said.
Like other social welfare issues, homelessness exists within an interconnected fabric, often intertwined with cases of drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment, mental health, and a lack of affordable housing. The Australian Government Productivity Commission tracks figures plotting which services people opt for, within the housing and homelessness sector.
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An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report into specialist homelessness services found the number of woman experiencing homeless has increased by 12,077 over the past 5 years. For men, this figure increases by 7,153.
The number of people seeking domestic violence and family support has increased by 3.3% over the last 5 years; the greatest contributing factor to homeless in Australia. The demand for helplines, support groups, behavioural change programs, and policed trained specifically for domestic violence related conflicts has been consistently increase over the last few years.
Our watch described domestic violence as having ‘ripple effects’ that permeate through individuals, families, and broader communities.
A 2015 Senate Committee report into domestic violence detailed the impacts the issue has on employment, social isolation, and mental wellbeing.
Gradually, executive actions are being taken to tackle domestic violence. Federal, state and territory leaders will unite to tackle domestic violence at a national summit in October this year.
Peterson Opio, executive of the ambassador and advocates portfolio at White Ribbon said that breaking the cycle of violence requires early intervention. “We need to start the process of education while young people have the opportunity to develop their understanding as to what is respectful, harmonious, and acceptable”.
“This issue cannot be vanquished if we work in isolation- so that means working alongside government, prevention campaigns, and judicial reviews. It’s a community issue, we should be solving it as a community”, he said.
Mihika Hegde
