David AllenOperations Manager, Supported Accommodation Wesley MissionDavid.allen@wesleymission.org.au 0407 415 640

David AllenOperations Manager, Supported Accommodation Wesley MissionDavid.allen@wesleymission.org.au 0407 415 640

Who do you think becomes homeless?

What do you think homelessness is?

What does it mean to be “HOMELESS”?

“A person is homeless if he or she has inadequate access to safe and secure housing”

Meaning it:

– damages, or is likely to damage, the person's health; or – threatens the person's safety; or – marginalises the person through failing to provide access to:

• adequate personal amenities; or • the economic and social supports that a home normally affords; or • places the person in circumstances which threaten or adversely

affect the adequacy, safety, security and affordability of that housing

Supported Accommodation Assistance Program Act 1994

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfarepointed to five situations on which definitions of homelessness tend to focus.

These are: …

1) Currently living on the street; (or sleeping rough)

2) Living in crisis or refuge accommodation; 3) Living in temporary arrangements without

security of tenure-for example, moving between the residences of friends or relatives, living in squats, caravans or improvised dwellings, or living in boarding houses;

4) Living in unsafe family circumstances-for example, families in which child abuse or domestic violence is a threat or has occurred;

5) Living on very low incomes and facing extraordinary expenses or personal crisis.

A homeless person is without a conventional home and lacks most of the economic and social supports that a home normally affords.

She/he is often cut off from the support of relatives and friends, she/he has few independent resources and often has no immediate means and in some cases little prospect of self support.

She/he is in danger of falling below the poverty line, at least from time to time.

Council for Homeless Persons

"It has been commonly stated that 'we are all one step away from homelessness' this is untrue, poor people are one step away."

Dr Guy Johnston

• Primary homelessness – people who have no shelter (eg living in cars, rough sleeping).

• Secondary homelessness – people who move between various forms of temporary shelter (eg crisis accommodation or staying with friends or relatives).

• Tertiary homelessness – people who live in accommodation which is without security of tenure or is unsafe or inappropriate to their needs (eg unlicensed boarding houses, caravans).

Who do you think becomes homeless?

"While homelessness is NOT just a housing problem, it is ALWAYS a housing problem."

Dr Guy Johnston

The elderlyYouth

Families

Individuals

On Census night 2006, the homeless population was 105,000 with …

• 45% staying temporarily with friends or relatives, • 21% staying in boarding houses, • 19% staying in supported accommodation (such as hostels for the

homeless, night shelters and refuges);

• 55% were single• 20% were couples without accompanying children • 26% were in homeless families with children (26,790 people)

• More than two-thirds (67%) of the homeless population were adults over 18 years of age,

• 12% under 12 years of age, • 21% from 12 to 18 years old.

• Less than half (44%) of homeless people were female

In the last census, there were 16,000 people considered primary homeless, but that not to say they all were 'Chronically' homeless

• In February 2009 and August 2008, The City of Sydney conducted the first every Australian “Street Count”, which was done between the hours of 1am and 3am with 170 volunteers and explored the streets, parks, trains, stations and temporary accommodation residences of Sydney's CBD and surrounding suburbs to count the number of homeless people sleeping rough in these areas.

The result: February 09 – 340 sleeping rough August 08 – 354 sleeping rough

Why do you think people become homeless?

Myth or fact?

“Homelessness is a choice”

Homelessness is NOT a rational choice, it needs to be considered in it’s context and environmental influences and reasons for the homelessness

“Over the years I have met and got to know so many decent homeless people. Homelessness is the result of a set of circumstances that get out of control and no two are exactly alike and when you arrive, all illusion is swept away, your very humanity your morality, your sense of right and wrong and you ask yourself why do people look at me like that? I believe that the battle against homelessness must start with changing society’s perception. The round peg in the round hole is a sound idea, but when you put a square peg in a round hole, that’s when things start falling apart…”

A quote from the City of Sydney Homelessness Strategy

"while living on the street, people passing would look at me like they are spitting on me with their eyes"

There are 5 common pathways into Homelessness ...

1) Domestic Violence

Often partners will face violence for a sustained period but once the violence is knowingly on the kids, this is typically the trigger to leave

2) Housing Crisis

This is a growth area typically families and caused by; - lose of job- area gentrification- unexpected significant expenses

3) Mental Health

Typically by people unable to manage the stigma of mental health and they systematically withdraw from society or their support networks