Safe homes, stronger futures: tackling poverty to stop homelessness

Anti-Poverty Week runs from Sunday 12 October to Saturday 18 October this year. It gives us a critical moment to focus on the deep and direct link between poverty and homelessness in Australia. This week isn’t just about raising awareness, but about driving real change to end these intertwined challenges.

New poverty statistics and our poverty advocacy commitment

According to new research from ACOSS and University of NSW, more than 3.7 million people in Australia live in poverty including 757,000 children. That’s one in seven people who are missing meals and essential medication so they can afford to keep a roof over their head or keep the lights on.¹ As a longstanding member of the ACOSS and UNSW Poverty and Inequality Partnership, Mission Australia is one of many sector friends committed to courageously advocating for solutions to address poverty as a driver of homelessness.

Young people’s cost of living concerns

Our 2024 Youth Survey, released late last year, showed cost of living was the number one concern for young people aged 15 to 19. Many young people also told us they struggled with financial stress and insecurity, which shows how poverty is deepening their risk of homelessness.

Real stories from poverty to hope

Mission Australia works every day with people facing this reality. Take Cass, who escaped domestic violence and the poverty that often traps people in unsafe situations. With Mission Australia’s support, Cass found a safe home and the stability to rebuild her life.

Or Karla, a 48-year-old woman who faced homelessness after financial hardship left her unable to keep up with rent and bills. Thanks to affordable housing and tailored support through our homelessness services, Karla now has a secure home and is working towards her future with hope.

Tackling poverty is key to ending homelessness

Stories like Cass and Karla’s show that ending homelessness requires tackling poverty and financial hardship head on. It means affordable housing must be available for those who need it. It means income support payments should keep up with the real cost of living. And it’s why prevention and early intervention measures are crucial; to stop people losing their homes or being pushed into disadvantage in the first place.

Financial pressures and tenancy support

A recent snapshot of Mission Australia’s tenancy support services shows how financial pressures are pushing more people to the brink of homelessness. Many are working, many are young or escaping violence and are turning to us for help to stay safely housed. Encouragingly, 98% of those we supported were able to remain living in their homes. When support is provided early on, financial hardship doesn’t have to lead to housing insecurity and homelessness.

Supported housing and wraparound services

Supported housing and tenancy support programs offer more than just a place to live. They provide personalised help and wraparound services that support people to maintain their tenancy and rebuild stability and wellbeing. For young people, options like Youth Foyers combine safe housing with education and employment support, which helps them break free from poverty and homelessness.

Investing in prevention, early intervention and supportive housing truly is the most effective way to end homelessness.

Poverty’s broader impact on wellbeing

Our frontline staff see how hardship and homelessness affect more than just a person’s home. They impact mental health, access to education and employment, and overall wellbeing. Without safe, secure homes it’s almost impossible for people to escape poverty.

Advocating for change to end poverty and homelessness

At Mission Australia, we believe no one should have to experience poverty or homelessness.

That’s why we continue to advocate strongly for key policy reforms. We’re calling for income support payments including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and related supports to be lifted to at least $589 per week (around $84 a day), so people can afford essentials like rent, food, medication and energy bills. Without this, many are one step away from losing their home, forced to skip meals, go without medication, or struggle to pay basic bills. Indexation alone isn’t enough. People need real increases that match the true cost of living.

Urgent housing support and investment needed

We also need a 60% boost to Commonwealth Rent Assistance to make housing more affordable for those on low incomes, alongside urgent investment in social and affordable housing with support tailored for those who need it. Expanding programs like Youth Foyers will give young people safe, secure homes while they pursue education and employment opportunities and plan for their future.

Finally, a $500 million Homelessness Prevention Transformation Fund would provide the early intervention support essential to keeping people housed and avoiding homelessness altogether.

Together, we can end poverty

As we observe Anti-Poverty Week this year, let’s renew our commitment to ending poverty and homelessness in Australia. Together, we can build a future where everyone has a safe, secure home and the chance to thrive, free from poverty and hardship.