The Growing Number Of Homeless People in Australia

Most of us whip out our warm winter clothing, put our heaters on, and enjoy warm meals and hot drinks under a blanket to snuggle up with a good book or to watch a movie in our creature comforts when the temperature drops during the cold winter months.  For many people who are living on the streets this is but a wish come true.

While winter is harsh for most living outdoors in the cold, the homeless are with us throughout the year and through all sorts of weather and temperatures.  Whether it’s warm, hot or cold outside, they are in need of accommodation of their own.

Australia’s Low income families are part of the growing numbers of people on the waiting list for affordable. In March 2017 The ABC reported that 1537 homes owned by public housing are sitting empty while the numbers seeking affordable housing is rapidly increasing due to unaffordable rental prices and the high cost of living.  There are over 60,000 people on The Dept. of Housing waiting list n NSW while run-down public housing homes wait to be fixed by the government.

According to Homelessness Australia statistics show there are currently 105,237 people in Australia who are homeless of which 56% are male and 44% are female.  “The rate of homelessness (which takes into account population density) is 49 out of every 10,000 people (0.5% of the population).”

Eternity News points out that Australia’s 105,000 or so homeless aren’t just living on the street.  Some of them are sleeping at the home of a friend or family member, which is better known as ‘Couch surfing’.  They might be sleeping on someone’s floor, staying in a caravan, garage or boarding house but wouldn’t consider themselves homeless because of having a roof over their heads.

aifc Admin

Sources:

Eternity News

ABC

Homelessness Australia

Where to Get Help

Talk to your doctor who can point you in the right direction.

Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.

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Free 24/7 Counselling Services

Lifeline on 13 11 14

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MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

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Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

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Studying at aifc

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For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

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