Homelessness services overwhelmed as more seek help too late

HOMELESSNESS services are turning away an average of 353 requests for help each day, new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows.

The data, released on Thursday, shows growing pressure on Specialist Homelessness Services, with more people seeking support only after losing their housing.

Almost four in five unmet requests are from women and children, many fleeing domestic and family violence.

Homelessness Australia chief executive Kate Colvin said the figures show people are reaching services too late.

“Too many people aren’t getting help until they’ve already lost their home and are sleeping in cars, tents or on the street,” Colvin said.

The number of people arriving at homelessness services already homeless increased by 6 per cent in the past year.

More than one in five clients, or 56,063 people, reported sleeping rough at some point in the month before seeking support.

“This is the clearest warning yet that demand is simply too high, and we need to scale up homelessness services, particularly early intervention for people at risk of homelessness,” Colvin said.

Mission Australia chief executive Sharon Callister said there are not enough safe and secure homes available when people seek help.

Children now make up 27 per cent of all homelessness service clients, with women and children together accounting for almost three quarters of those seeking support.

First Nations homelessness has also increased, with Indigenous clients rising by 6 per cent to more than

82,800 people, or 29 per cent of all clients.

Homelessness Australia is calling for a dedicated Homelessness Prevention Fund to help people stay housed before reaching crisis.

More than one in ten people seeking homelessness support were employed, with cost of living and rental pressures continuing to drive demand.