A home isn't just four walls and a roof. It's a foundation for safety and security.
All Australians should have the choice to build a home away from the street.
Homelessness is living without proper accommodation and includes sleeping rough or sleeping on the street.
But there are others in our community who also have to frequently move from place to place or couch-surf. Then there are others who have accommodation but it is not ideal, such as living in a caravan park.
| Staying temporarily with relatives and friends, or couch surfing | 44% | 46 200 people |
| Living in boarding housings and other temporary accommodation | 20% | 21 000 people |
| Sleeping rough on the streets | 18% | 18 900 people |
| Using a bed at a homeless service | 18% | 18 900 people |
Source: Homelessness Australia, 'Homelessness In Australia, Factsheet: General Overview' (2011)
There are lots of things that need to happen to make this better.
We need to:
- more public and community housing across the country
- deal with the reasons why people become homeless in the first place, including addressing domestic violence and unemployment
- dignify the choices that homeless Australians can make.
Turning on the TV tonight? 135 people will be turned away from housing and homelessness services today.
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