People Sleeping Outside Sometimes people are living on the street as there are no other options available to them (e.g. crisis accommodation is full) or other problems (such as mental health or PTSD) make it difficult for them to access services. These people do not always have a permanent spot to sleep.
To some, freedom to move wherever they want, sleep wherever they want, and do whatever they want holds much more value than a roof over their heads. This one may be less grounded in reality than freedom, but some homeless argue that they feel safe out in the open, amongst the people of the city.
Without a place to call home, they have no other choice but to wander the streets to access support, find food, to keep warm or simply to keep safe.
Being homeless is the state of a person living on the streets, if they have no home. Homelessness occurs because many people cannot afford housing, do not have a job, receive low income, are mentally ill or have a drug addiction (Coalition for the Homeless).
A majority of people experiencing homelessness long-term in Australia are found in the large cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. It is estimated that on any given night approximately 116,000 people will be homeless and many more are living in insecure housing, "one step away from being homeless".
Is being homeless a crime? First, being homeless is not a criminal offence anywhere in Australia. If such a law were passed it would breach multiple long-standing legal principles. It would also breach various domestic and international charters and covenants on citizenship as well as human and civil rights.
What is the leading cause of homelessness in Australia? In Australia, domestic and family violence (DFV) is one of the main drivers of homelessness in Australia. Sadly, many children, women and men have experienced or have witnessed abusive and violent behaviour towards a partner, former partner or family member.
Being homeless is destabilizing, demoralizing and depressing. You've lost your base, a foundation from which to function. It becomes hard to focus. Constant obstacles chip away at your self-esteem and your healthy personality withers, disintegrates, scatters.
Homelessness can be caused by poverty, unemployment or by a shortage of affordable housing, or it can be triggered by family breakdown, mental illness, sexual assault, addiction, financial difficulty, gambling or social isolation.
Everything that housed people could do just by walking into another room of their house usually requires homeless people to travel several miles. Between showering, eating, working, sleeping, using the bathroom, and being told to move along, you could easily be on your feet all day.
Social isolation and risk of incarceration
Clearly, living without material comforts is only one part of the plight. The mental struggle caused by isolation and abuse is often an even more difficult burden to bear.
People often ignore the homeless for a variety of reasons. Many people mistakenly believe that homelessness is a choice, so they may feel that the homeless don't deserve help or empathy. Unconscious biases can also play a role in why people ignore the homeless.
Mental health is an issue that continues to afflict the homeless population and experts say these violent attacks can often be attributed to mental health episodes.
Unhoused is probably the most popular alternative to the word “homeless.” It's undoubtedly the one I see most often recommended by advocates.
Homelessness is not only being without a house, but is also being dejected, unwanted, unloved, uncared for. The greatest injustice we have done to our poor people is that we have forgotten to treat them with respect, with dignity, as children of God.”
Being homeless is difficult, but if you find yourself lucky enough to be living indoors in a shelter, you have eliminated a constant issue - maintaining your personal appearance. Keeping clean and presentable are key elements in getting ahead and getting to where you need to be.
Confidence and self-esteem are inevitably diminished by homelessness. The feelings of defeat and worthlessness that so often accompany homelessness can be crippling, and can prevent people from seeking help.
122,494 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2021. Males made up 55.9% of people experiencing homelessness; females made up 44.1%. 23.0% of all people experiencing homelessness were aged from 12 to 24 years.
In 2016, the Northern Territory had the highest rate of homeless people (about 600 persons per 10,000 population) and Tasmania the lowest (32 per 10,000).
Homelessness can be caused by:
Family violence. A shortage of affordable housing. Physical and/or mental health issues.
One of the best ways to help someone experiencing homelessness is to show them respect. As you look into their eyes, talk to them with sincere interest and acknowledge their value as an individual, you reaffirm their humanity.
The act of begging constitutes a criminal offence in most Australian States and Territories including Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory with penalties ranging from a fine of $50 to two years' imprisonment.
Eligible recipients who have difficulty managing their finances to the end of a fortnight may include those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with mental health issues, or gambling and/or substance addictions. Some victims of domestic violence may also be offered weekly payments.