Voters Demand Action on Homelessness

MEDIA RELEASE Voters want action on homelessness More than 120,000 Australians are not getting the support they need when they encounter homelessness, according to a landmark analysis conducted by Homelessness Australia ahead of the coming federal election. And a fresh opinion poll shows homelessness is emerging as a key election issue, with financially stressed voters telling pollsters the problem is getting worse, and they want a remedy. According to an analysis cross referencing data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Productivity Commission and Impact Economics, 75,277 people are turned away by overstretched homelessness services each year, while 48,195 people don't even make it through the door. These unmet needs could be fulfilled with an overall funding boost of $671 million. Polling shows significant public demand for action. Redbridge research across 24 battleground electorates revealed 60% of respondents under financial stress have noticed an increase in homelessness in their communities. And even among those who didn't report being under great financial stress, four in ten noticed an increase. The data shows only one per cent reported a decrease in homelessness in their area. "People's fears have escalated beyond missing a rent or mortgage payment," Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said. "They now fear being turfed out of their home, with no safety net to catch them. Our housing crisis has created a national homelessness emergency and voters want to know the Government has their back. "This data shows there is a political opportunity to put forward a plan to catch people before they fall into homelessness and ensure that no one is ever turned away because support services are overstretched." The polling also showed majority support among all voters for bolstering services, including 89% for increased investment for women and children escaping domestic violence, 88% for homeless children and young people and 80% for people sleeping rough, and 73% for those at risk of losing their home. "We know homelessness not only takes a toll on the people experiencing it, but on the broader community, and people want this issue addressed. The Homelessness Australia election platform calls for the unmet need to be addressed with $671 million for frontline services and rapid rehousing initiatives. To prevent homelessness in the first place, the platform calls for low cost social or affordable rentals to make up at least 10% of the total housing stock as well as a boost to Commonwealth Rent Assistance. "This polling shows that ending long-term homelessness is not only the right thing to do, it has deep public support. "We know what needs to be done to end homelessness and ease the housing crisis, we just need a commitment from the federal government to fund these initiatives. Voters are on board, so it's time to get it done."