Breaking the link between poverty and homelessness

Anti-Poverty Week, which runs from October 13-19 this year, provides us with a vital opportunity to focus on the critical issue of homelessness and the deep connections it has with poverty. This week is not just about raising awareness but about galvanising action to address and end these pressing issues.

In Australia, over 3.3 million people live in poverty, including more than 760,000 children. Our recent Cost of Living: Counting the Costs Youth Survey sub report with Orygen also found that one in five young people reported having experienced financial stress (including financial hardships and/or concerns about financial security) in 2023. Among these numbers, the face of homelessness is often hidden but deeply significant.

Poverty and inadequate affordable housing are the two primary societal drivers of homelessness, affecting individuals and families across the country. To put it another way, we need to end poverty and expand Australia’s affordable housing supply to make sure that homelessness becomes rare, brief and non-recurring.

This staggering reality has profound implications. Take Sarah, a single mother who, despite facing relentless financial strain and the threat of eviction, found stable housing with Mission Australia’s support. Her new home has not only provided her children with a secure and nurturing environment but has also alleviated the constant stress of financial insecurity, allowing her family to thrive.

Similarly, James, who once slept in his car because his income could not cover rising rent and utility costs, now benefits from the stability of an affordable home thanks to Mission Australia’s assistance. This transformation has enabled him to regain his footing and focus on overcoming the broader challenges of poverty, which really shows just how essential stable housing is for rebuilding a life and finding security.

Our frontline staff witness these stories of hope and struggle daily. They know firsthand how homelessness, deeply entwined with poverty, extends beyond just lacking a physical home to impact mental health, access to employment and overall quality of life. Many individuals we assist grapple not only with the immediate challenge of securing stable housing but also with the ongoing difficulty of affording essentials and rebuilding their lives.

It's a testament to the effectiveness of Mission Australia’s approach that most people who are at risk of homelessness remain living in their home and avoid homelessness after receiving our help. However, we and our sector colleagues cannot help everyone find a suitable home – Australia’s housing emergency means that we can only find secure, long-term accommodation for one-third of people who are already homeless when they come to our services.

This highlights the need to break this cycle with solutions that address both the symptoms and root causes of homelessness and poverty. The link between poverty and homelessness is clear. Inadequate income support, soaring living costs and a critical shortage of social and affordable housing only deepen the crisis, making it even more challenging for individuals and families to break free from their precarious situations.

Mission Australia is committed to ending homelessness through our nationwide programs, services and social and affordable housing. We want to get to the point where experiences of homelessness become rare, brief and non-recurring. It’s also why we continue to strongly advocate for crucial policy changes, such as increasing JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments to at least $80 a day, increasing the maximum threshold of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 60 per cent and expanding the availability of affordable housing. A $500M Homelessness Prevention Transformation Fund would also go a long way to help people avoid homelessness in the first place.

These steps are vital to ensuring that everyone has a safe place to call home and the opportunity to rebuild their lives, free from poverty.

We want to live in an Australia where homelessness is no longer a reality for anyone. This involves not only providing immediate support but also creating systemic changes that address the root causes of homelessness. By investing in affordable housing, prevention and ensuring that income support is sufficient to cover basic needs, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those who are struggling.

As we observe Anti-Poverty Week, let’s reaffirm our commitment to breaking the link between poverty and homelessness and paving the way for a future where everyone has a secure place to call home. By addressing both the immediate needs of individuals and families, as well as the systemic causes of poverty, we can dismantle the barriers that perpetuate homelessness and build a society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and stability.

Photo of Sharon, CEO of Mission Australia.