HOMELESSNESS
IN AUSTRALIA
The ongoing work of We Are Mobilise addresses homelessness as a pervasive issue in Australia.
FOR CONTEXT, THE 2021 CENSUS FOUND THAT:
There was a 5.2% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness nationally between 2016 and 2021.
The rate of homelessness surged in Tasmania and Victoria up by 32.3% and 12.4% respectively.
1 in 32 Indigenous Australians will be experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Under 25-year-olds represent 37.4% of people experiencing homelessness.
39% of people experiencing homelessness in Australia were living in severely overcrowded dwellings.
WE NEED COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION
This is built upon a shared goal, shared data, and a shared commitment to prevent and end homelessness in communities. We Are Mobilise is a proud member of the Melbourne Zero project under this campaign. These alliances benefit from the collaboration of a range of community and government organisations and charities. We Are Mobilise strongly believes in the value the private sector can bring to these shared efforts as well. As we know, “ESG focus is the new normal, and the world is watching.”
The private sector clearly see the value in investing back into the community.
Social issues including homelessness are no longer seen as strictly the purview of the public and charity sectors, and given We Are Mobilise’s strength in building partnerships, this is a key lever we can use to make progress toward ending homelessness.
WE NEED TO ADD TO WHAT WORKS
Many people find themselves in cycles of homelessness that are extremely difficult to break, as depicted in the chart to the right, where over half of people who are rough sleeping exit homelessness services directly back into rough sleeping. Rather than duplicate the incredible work already being done to create by-name lists and provide affordable housing for example, there is room to increase the chances of success of these initiatives with novel approaches.
This is built upon a shared goal, shared data, and a shared commitment to prevent and end homelessness in communities. We Are Mobilise is a proud member of the Melbourne Zero project under this campaign. These alliances benefit from the collaboration of a range of community and government organisations and charities. We Are Mobilise strongly believes in the value the private sector can bring to these shared efforts as well. As we know, “ESG focus is the new normal, and the world is watching.” The private sector clearly see the value in investing back into the community.
Social issues including homelessness are no longer seen as strictly the purview of the public and charity sectors, and given We Are Mobilise’s strength in building partnerships, this is a key lever we can use to make progress toward ending homelessness.
KEY TRENDS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR FRIENDS ON THE STREET INCLUDE:
Increasing housing prices
Under supply of affordable housing
Rapidly changing job market / in-demand skills
Increased demand on / reduced accessibility of essential services
Climate change affecting liveability and housing needs
Changing profile of cities and urban areas post-Covid
Increased public awareness of the housing crisis and economic pressures
LET'S BE BRAVE
The current economic climate means that everyday Australians are becoming more financially stressed. There is a well-acknowledged affordable housing crisis.
More generally, Australians also face a growing cost-of-living crisis: In the 12 months to March 2021, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 5.1%, which is the highest annual rise reported since the introduction of the GST in 2000.
This has meant people and families are facing more pressure and becoming more at risk of unstable accommodation.
In addition to guiding more people into existing services and public or community housing (that are already heavily burdened), there is an opportunity to enable people who may slip through the cracks to access and maintain housing in the private market. We Are Mobilise is committed to doing things differently to add value to the homelessness landscape.
