Fact Vs. Fiction
When it comes to homelessness, the associated stigma can make it very difficult to separate fact from fiction. Everybody has an opinion on homelessness and most are formed without sufficient research or credible sources.
Here, we lay it all out. We state the facts and dispel some of the most common myths surrounding homelessness.
At the end of the day, these are fellow human beings and they deserve respect, dignity and compassion no matter what their circumstances may be.
Here, we lay it all out. We state the facts and dispel some of the most common myths surrounding homelessness.
At the end of the day, these are fellow human beings and they deserve respect, dignity and compassion no matter what their circumstances may be.
Definition of Homeless
Whilst we at ASAP try to assist those who are sleeping rough, in cars, or in makeshift dwellings such as shipping containers, it is important to know that the rough sleepers you may see on the street each day account for only 7% of all homeless people within Australia. Homelessness is defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2014) as the following:
When a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:
Another commonly used definition of homelessness is by Mackenzie & Chamberlain (1992) and states that there are three types of homelessness:
Primary homelessness is experienced by people without conventional accommodation (e.g. sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings);
(By this definition, ASAP focuses mainly on assisting those experiencing primary homelessness).
When a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:
- is in a dwelling that is inadequate; or
- has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable; or
- does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations.
Another commonly used definition of homelessness is by Mackenzie & Chamberlain (1992) and states that there are three types of homelessness:
Primary homelessness is experienced by people without conventional accommodation (e.g. sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings);
- Secondary homelessness is experienced by people who frequently move from one temporary shelter to another (e.g. emergency accommodation, youth refuges, "couch surfing");
- Tertiary homelessness is experienced by people staying in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards (e.g. boarding housing and caravan parks).
(By this definition, ASAP focuses mainly on assisting those experiencing primary homelessness).
What are the causes of homelessness in Australia?
Whilst the causes of homelessness are often complex and intertwined, there are many health, social and economical and factors that are known to directly lead to homelessness in Australia. These factors include:
- Poverty and financial difficulties
- Intellectual disability
- Physical disability and health issues
- Lack of affordable housing - particularly in metropolitan areas
- Domestic violence
- Mental illness (often related to trauma and abuse during childhood)
- Drug/alcohol dependence (also often related to trauma and abuse during childhood, loss/grief, domestic violence and/or financial difficulties)
- Declining home ownership rates (again due to housing affordability)
- Lack of social/family support (family breakdown, family dysfunction)
- Poverty and financial difficulties
- Intellectual disability
- Physical disability and health issues
- Lack of affordable housing - particularly in metropolitan areas
- Domestic violence
- Mental illness (often related to trauma and abuse during childhood)
- Drug/alcohol dependence (also often related to trauma and abuse during childhood, loss/grief, domestic violence and/or financial difficulties)
- Declining home ownership rates (again due to housing affordability)
- Lack of social/family support (family breakdown, family dysfunction)
Who experiences homelessness in Australia?
There is no recognisable face of homelessness in Australia. Anyone could potentially become homeless - men, women or children of all ages. This is not to say, however, that certain populations are not more vulnerable.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up 2.5% of our nation, yet they account for almost one quarter of all people experiencing homelessness in Australia. Although currently the Australian homeless population is 56% male, the number of females who find themselves homeless is increasing. Young people between the ages of 20 and 30 made up 25% of all homelessness on census night in 2016 (ABS) and the number of older people between the ages of 65 and 74 was also shown to be climbing at an alarming rate. The number of people aged between 12 and 24 who were experiencing homelessness on census night was 27,680 - however this could be underestimated due to many young people who were 'couch surfing' providing temporary addresses.
You can find more census collected data regarding homelessness here at the ABS website.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up 2.5% of our nation, yet they account for almost one quarter of all people experiencing homelessness in Australia. Although currently the Australian homeless population is 56% male, the number of females who find themselves homeless is increasing. Young people between the ages of 20 and 30 made up 25% of all homelessness on census night in 2016 (ABS) and the number of older people between the ages of 65 and 74 was also shown to be climbing at an alarming rate. The number of people aged between 12 and 24 who were experiencing homelessness on census night was 27,680 - however this could be underestimated due to many young people who were 'couch surfing' providing temporary addresses.
You can find more census collected data regarding homelessness here at the ABS website.
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Common myths surrounding homelessness
Myth: Homeless people do not want to work
Fact: Although there are a few people who choose not to work, this is usually due to difficulty maintaining or obtaining work - whether it be due to mental or intellectual problems. The vast majority of people who are homeless, however, do certainly want to work and many in fact have jobs that are insufficient to support them in obtaining and sustaining a home.
Myth: People choose to be homelessness
Fact: Whilst a small minority of homeless people choose to be homeless, the majority certainly do not. Those who do choose to be homeless commonly have mental illnesses and do not have the means to cope with the responsibilities of life. These people equally deserve care and assistance.
Myth: Homeless people are lazy
Fact: Earning enough to cover rent, bills and everyday living expenses can be very difficult. Combine that with other factors such as physical or mental illness and it can be very easy to end up homeless. Breaking out of the homelessness cycle, however, can be a very difficult (almost impossible) process. Many people who are homeless are in fact employed - and those who are not employed can experience great difficulty in gaining employment with no fixed address, transport etc.
Myth: You would have to do some pretty terrible things to become homeless - it will never happen to me.
Fact: Homelessness can happen to ANYONE. We are all a job loss, a family member loss, a health condition or a financial disaster away from becoming homeless.
Fact: Although there are a few people who choose not to work, this is usually due to difficulty maintaining or obtaining work - whether it be due to mental or intellectual problems. The vast majority of people who are homeless, however, do certainly want to work and many in fact have jobs that are insufficient to support them in obtaining and sustaining a home.
Myth: People choose to be homelessness
Fact: Whilst a small minority of homeless people choose to be homeless, the majority certainly do not. Those who do choose to be homeless commonly have mental illnesses and do not have the means to cope with the responsibilities of life. These people equally deserve care and assistance.
Myth: Homeless people are lazy
Fact: Earning enough to cover rent, bills and everyday living expenses can be very difficult. Combine that with other factors such as physical or mental illness and it can be very easy to end up homeless. Breaking out of the homelessness cycle, however, can be a very difficult (almost impossible) process. Many people who are homeless are in fact employed - and those who are not employed can experience great difficulty in gaining employment with no fixed address, transport etc.
Myth: You would have to do some pretty terrible things to become homeless - it will never happen to me.
Fact: Homelessness can happen to ANYONE. We are all a job loss, a family member loss, a health condition or a financial disaster away from becoming homeless.
