Homelessness Week 2024
Monday 7 August to Sunday 11 August 2024 is Homelessness Week, an important date in our calendar during which we raise awareness of this complex social issue. The theme for Homelessness Week 2024 is “Homelessness Action Now.”
Unison is one of the largest providers of services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Melbourne’s West. Our dedicated service team supports people from all walks of life experiencing housing stress and homelessness.
Having a safe and stable home is key to good health, mental health, stability and capacity to participate in society.
A few facts about the housing crisis in Melbourne’s West
(Source: Western Homelessness Network)
40% - the increase in the number of people who identified as being homeless in Melbourne’s West 10 years ago.
1M nights of support – each year homelessness services across Melbourne’s West support approximately 15,000 people in 11,000 households. This equates to over 1million nights of support,
65% - the number of people presenting to homelessness services who are completely without a home has increased 65% in four years.
Fast facts about homelessness in Australia
(Source: ABS Census 2021)
Who is experiencing homelessness?
- On any given night over 122,000 Australians experiences homelessness
- One in seven people experiencing homelessness are children under 12
- 23% of people experiencing homelessness (almost one in 4) are children and young people between 12 and 24
- One in five people experiencing homelessness are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Why do people become homeless?
65% of people seeking homelessness assistance Australia wide is because of issues with their housing or finances, such as rent affordability.
24% cite family violence or other violence and abuse as the main reason for needing support.
Homelessness services are overwhelmed
- In 2022/2023, 108,000 people who sought help were unable to be assisted because of shortages of staff, accommodation or other services. That is 295 people a day turned away because services are overstretched. (AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2022-2023
Unison’s Manager, Housing Assessments and Pathways, Rachael Toseland said, “We are witnessing a significant rise in the demand for our IAP service (Unison’s homelessness service) with housing affordability crisis being the main driver. The overwhelming demand surpasses our capacity to respond.
We need change to make an impact
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Invest in more safe affordable homes
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Increase investment in homelessness services’ so no one needing help is turned away
Take action during Homelessness Week
Sign the Everybody’s Home petition https://everybodyshome.com.au/end-homelessness/
Homelessness Week 2024 launch and event information
https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au/event-category/homelessness-week-events/
Advocacy reports
Inside the Front Door. A seven-year study of six high volume homelessness services in Melbourne
Homelessness Australia, Pre-Budget Submission 2024-2025
Homelessness and domestic and family violence: State of Response Report
Submission to the National Housing and Homelessness Plan
Find out more about our supportive homelessness and housing services here https://unison.org.au/our-services
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