A person is generally defined as homeless when he or she has 'inadequate access to conventional shelter, in particular at night'.
Homeless people may stay in temporary accommodation, for example in a squat, an abandoned building, on the streets or in a caravan. They may have found crisis housing or they may move between the houses of friends and relatives.
Sometimes a homeless person is defined as someone in a home that is unsafe, for example where there is the threat of violence. With these different degrees and definitions of homelessness, it is can be hard to tell when someone is at risk of becoming homeless or has already lost the economical security and the safety of a 'home'.
Being homeless is not always just about housing, it is also about missing a stable connection to a network of friends, family and the broader community.
Youth homelessness in Australia
According to figures collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2001 there were 20,305 homeless people in Victoria. Melbourne social scientists Chris Chamberlain, of RMIT University, and David MacKenzie, of Swinburne University, produced a report from the census and their own research. They found that:
- Not all homeless are older men - about half those fitting the census definition of homelessness were between 12 and 34. In Victoria, an estimated 4,663 young people aged 12-18 were homeless on census night
- Not all homeless live on the streets. Of the total, 40 percent were staying with friends or relatives, 25 percent were staying in a supported accommodation service (new window), 26 percent were staying in boarding houses and 9 percent were sleeping outside
- Not all young homeless are male - nationally, 55 percent of homeless youths are female
- Youth homelessness varies a lot between states - for example, Victoria has a rate of 10 homeless per 1000 youths compared with 69 homeless per 1000 youths in the Northern Territory
- Compared with Australia as a whole, Victoria has a higher proportion of people living in homelessness assistance accommodation (25 percent compared with 14 percent)
- Only 51 percent of homeless youth in Victoria stay within the school system - homelessness has a significant impact on finishing your education, finding a job and earning money
Other facts and figures (new window) show that many young people become homeless because of trouble within their family or their relationship, eviction from housing and domestic violence.
Where to find help
There are many programs run by Australian Government and voluntary organisations that aim to tackle homelessness through advice, financial support, a place to stay and other assistance.
If you are currently without a place to live, concerned about losing the security of your home, or know someone at risk of homelessness, the following services can help.
Supported Assistance and Accommodation Program (SAAP)
SAAP (new window) is ajoint Federal and State Government support program targeting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through a range of accommodation and support services. The site links to assistance such as referral services, telephone information and crisis accommodation for young people, single adults and families who are currently homeless or at risk. Click on the map of Victoria to locate regional information. The Transitional Housing Management (THM) program is an initiative to provide a comprehensive response to households in crisis as a result of homelessness or impending homelessness.
Centrelink Crisis or Special Help
Payments for people who are in severe hardship and have been forced to leave their home on Centrelink's Crisis or Special Help (new window) pages. Follow the link to the 'accommodation and renting issues' to explore information about Centrelink housing assistance.
Melbourne Youth Support Service (MYSS)
A statewide telephone information and referral service run by Melbourne Citymission for people between 15 and 25 who are experiencing or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Call (03) 9614 3688 to access telephone information or set up face-to-face referral services. MYSS operates 9am - 8pm weekdays and 10am - 6pm on weekends. The service is located at 19 King Street in Melbourne.
Community Youth Outreach
Community Youth Outreach (new window) has a list of useful resources for locating charity organisations that provide accommodation for kids who are homeless and bungalows to families where a young person is at risk of becoming homeless. Includes links to Kids Under Cover, the Lighthouse Foundation, Anglicare, Melbourne Citymission, the Salvation Army and regional services.
Links
Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations
Get the facts on homelessness in Victoria with this background information on policy, programs and contacts in government and community organisations.
Infoxchange - Infoxchange Homelessness
Find out about the Victorian strategy for homelessness, join a discussion forum or search the accommodation registry. Special projects such as 'Speaking of Homelessness' present stories and images about surviving without a stable home.
Community.gov.au - Homelessness
A list of links that you can compare and research services, strategies across Australia for homeless people.
Homelessness.org.au
The range of resources at this site extends from statistics and reports to personal stories, poems and images from the homeless and young people living on the streets.
Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues - Reconnect Young Refugees Program
Translated into several languages, this information brochure describes services for new arrivals and refugees aged 12-18 who are having problems at home or who have recently left home. The site's 'Publications' area also contains research on the impact of settlement services, education, employment and training on migrant and refugee youth homelessness. Explore the rest of the site for more general information on government policy that relates to issues for multicultural youth.
