Homelessness is a significant problem in Australia. While the government has made some efforts to help homeless people, there is still much work to be done.
The most recent study conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 1.6 million people were homeless in 2017. This number represents about 2% of the total population of Australia, which means that about one in fifty people were homeless at some point last year.
The majority of these homeless people were located in New South Wales and Victoria. The majority were also male (57%), and most were under the age of 45 years old (63%).
As homelessness and mental health are under-addressed issues in our society, it's no surprise that they're often linked.
Mental illness is a leading cause of homelessness, and many homeless people have experienced mental health issues. One study found that approximately 40% of homeless people suffer from some form of mental illness, while another study found that one-third of all homeless people will experience a mental health crisis during their time on the street.
The two issues are also closely linked because they share similar risk factors: poverty, substance abuse, lack of social support networks, and unstable housing situations. When these factors combine with other risk factors like family history or childhood trauma, it's easy to see how someone can end up without a stable home or access to proper medical care—and this can result in depression or anxiety disorders which then lead them deeper into poverty and homelessness.
As we begin to address homelessness and mental health more effectively in society through improved policymaking and increased funding for programs like housing vouchers and shelters (among others), we can help ensure those who are most vulnerable don't fall through the cracks.
Holistic Recovery has introduced the skill-building program 'Stepping stone', providing people with a temporary accommodation along with the wrap-around NDIS and mainstream support to build their capacity. The program aims to build participants' capacity while staying in the transition unit so they can live independently and maintain their tenancy one day.
For more info about our stepping stone program, please contact us at admin@holisticrecovery.com.au