Homelessness NSW’s Post

Focus Ireland launched its latest comprehensive report, ‘Focus on Homelessness- a Decade of Homelessness data’, this morning which includes alarming statistics for homelessness since 2014. This document offers an in-depth look at the trends and dynamics of homelessness over the past decade, revealing significant insights and highlighting the urgent need for continued and enhanced efforts to address the crisis. Authors of the report, Prof Eoin O’Sullivan (Trinity College Dublin), Emma Byrne, Focus Ireland Policy Officer and Mike Allen, Director of Advocacy at Focus Ireland, all believe the analysis, underscores the critical importance of understanding these trends to inform policy and action. Kind findings of the report include: · Over 55,000 adults (55,367) became homeless and entered emergency accommodation (EA) from 2014 to 2023 · The number of adults in EA for more than six months has increased by 579% since 2014, indicating a troubling trend of prolonged time spent in homelessness. · Nearly 30,000 adults exited EA to a tenancy in the decade between 2014 and 2023 either to a social housing tenancy or a private rented tenancy with housing support payment. · 2023 was the year with the highest number of new adults entering EA in the last 10 years, with 6,462 adults entering EA for the first time that year. For more information and to access the full report, please the link below https://bit.ly/FOHDecade

A bit of a departure from my normal content... Homelessness isn't just a policy issue for me – it's deeply personal. From my early career at Bruce House, to seven years shaping federal homelessness policy, to watching a family member cycle through shelters and prison, I've seen this crisis from multiple angles. But I am sharing this op-ed because I believe that we all need to engage in if we care about the health and future of our communities. Canada's housing crisis runs deep, but what seems to get missed is that homelessness is a solvable problem. We've seen communities successfully end homelessness through proven strategies and sustained commitment. What is missing isn't knowledge – it's our collective will to see people experiencing homelessness as human beings worthy of dignity and connection. When I stop to chat with someone asking for change or roll down my window at traffic lights, people often question my judgment. But I'll never forget what I once heard from a youth experiencing homelessness: sometimes a stranger's simple acknowledgment of your humanity can be the lifeline you need that day. As Ottawa Councillor Ariel Troster recently challenged residents: "to my neighbours who are frustrated and angry about the social disorder that comes with unmet human needs, I ask you to direct your anger at the systems that are failing — not at the people experiencing homelessness or those trying to help them." She's right. We must stop blaming individuals trapped by systemic failure. We need to see people experiencing homelessness as being worthy of the investment because they are human. Solving homelessness isn't just morally right – it makes economic sense and improves public safety for everyone. This isn't about politics. It is about listening to people like Stephen and supporting the efforts of organizations on the ground like the Shepherds of Good Hope doing vital work daily, and recognizing that each of us has a role in creating change. The solution starts with seeing people as people. Everything else follows from there.

Our Homelessness and Housing fact sheet provides a snapshot of national and state data on children, young people, and families and an overview of current Victorian housing reforms. The facts: 🏡23% of all people nationally who are experiencing homelessness are under 18 years; 🏡1 in 7 people nationally who are experiencing homelessness are under 12 years; 🏡76,000 children under 18 years contacted homelessness support services nationwide in 2022-23; 60,000 were part of a family, and 16,000 were alone; 🏡23% of Victorians without a home are young people under 24 years; 🏡 85% of Centre member organisations surveyed, regardless of their specialisation, regularly provide support to families experiencing housing insecurity. The Minister for Housing, the Hon. Harriet Shing, reviewed the progress of Victoria’s Social Housing reforms at a recent briefing for members and sector leaders. A panel of sector leaders presented programs supporting children and young people. Learn more and download the fact sheet at https://loom.ly/vSu2vzg Quote from Apple, aged 8: from Children's Policy Centre The Australian National University More for Children Issues Paper #2 – Housing. Read more at https://lnkd.in/g8ffmK_8

Key details within the notice, I suppose, but this appears to be a positive development. The more local providers, via PHAs, can utilize housing resources that operate outside the restrictions of the CoCs and Coordinated Entry, the better our prospects at addressing homelessness in a meaningful way.

**Evaluation Snapshot Ahead ▶** The Northern Territory has the highest rate of homelessness in Australia, at almost twelve times the national average, with an overrepresentation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people due to ongoing systemic and structural racism. There is a dire need for increased investment in social, affordable and culturally appropriate housing delivered alongside integrated housing and support models. We commissioned an evaluation of the Integrated Homelessness Supported Accommodation Program (IHSAP) to help us understand what's working, what's not working, and how we can improve. Ultimately, we want to ensure we are delivering the best possible service to the people and communities we serve. IHSAP is a collaboration of service providers located at a re-purposed accommodation facility providing temporary accommodation and support services to people who are homeless in Darwin, NT. The facility is funded by the Northern Territory Government and managed by Yilli Rreung Housing Corporation (Yilli). Mission Australia provides case management and coordinates specialist supports for residents of the facility, including child and family support, mental health and alcohol and other drugs programs. The evaluation found: ✔ Consistent demonstration of good practice, including a strong partnership approach and culturally safe service design and delivery. ⛔ The biggest barrier was the lack of permanent housing options for people to move into. ⚠ A range of opportunities to strengthen the cultural safety and impact of the service, including incorporating culturally appropriate assessment tools. Evalution by Insight Consulting Australia and Sand Palm Consulting. SNAPSHOT AVAILABLE NOW: https://lnkd.in/gDmXk-6t 📄 Sue Budalich Paul Royce Ana Aitcheson Marion Bennett

💬 New Blog Post: Transitioning from homelessness to stability isn't just about finding a home; it's about securing long-term support. That's why we’re proud to announce the integration of Critical Time Intervention (CTI) into our Rapid Rehousing program. After facing immense challenges like leaving hospitals, shelters, or abusive environments, individuals need consistent support to navigate their housing journey. CTI, an evidence-based practice, is proven to facilitate housing stability and community integration. With CTI, our team is enhancing our support, focusing on factors like housing stability planning, financial empowerment, and mental wellness. Learn more about how CTI-RRH is making a difference in ending homelessness in our latest blog post: https://bit.ly/3OXr6an #NewBlogPost #EndHomelessness #CTI #RapidRehousing #CommunityHousingNetwork

📢CIH are calling on all political parties to commit to a long term plan for housing. Today the two sets of homeless stats released show why it is vital. The quarterly statutory homelessness statistics release in England (1 July to 30 Sept. 2023) shows an increasingly worsening picture from this time last year with: ⬆ 109,000 households in temporary accommodation, an increase of over 10% ⬆ 12% increase of households with children in temporary accommodation ⬆ 16% rise on the numbers of households accepted as being owed a main homelessness duty. The rough sleeping snapshot for autumn 2023, which provides an estimate of the number of people sleeping rough on a single night, shows: ❗ 27% increase in numbers of people counted as sleeping rough on the previous year. ❗❗120% higher than in 2010 when the snapshot approach was first introduced ⬆ Rough sleeping increased in every region compared to the previous year (with the largest increase in London). (Note due to the way the rough sleeping count is conducted figures generated are acknowledged to be underestimates as people sleeping in hidden locations are not counted) 🗣 Hannah Keilloh, Chartered Institute of Housing policy and practice lead on homelessness, commented: “The scale of homelessness demonstrated in these figures should leave no one in any doubt that urgent and decisive action is needed. The numbers of people counted in today’s snapshots are much higher than in 2010. It is now clear the government will not meet its manifesto promise to end rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament. “Decent, affordable, and secure homes make our lives better – benefiting our mental and physical health and providing the secure foundation we all need. Tacking the homelessness crisis where rapidly rising numbers of households are effectively trapped in often very unsuitable temporary accommodation for increasingly long periods of time, including huge numbers of children, must be a priority for all parties ahead of the next general election. TA comes at a huge personal cost, but also a huge cost to the public purse with increasing numbers of local authorities reporting that homelessness costs are pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy. We need political commitment to turn things around. CIH are urging all political parties to commit to a long-term plan for housing which recognises it as the foundation for creating healthy and sustainable communities.” You can find out more, including links to the full stats, on our website ➡ https://lnkd.in/ekS9AzUs

🔍 Check out this blog by Ann Edge, Nancy Holman & Christine Whitehead, following up on their research into youth homelessness in Hackney and the challenges posed by rising rents & limited social housing https://buff.ly/3ZmQ20U

I joined hundreds of advocates in DC as #SCOTUS heard one of the most important cases on #homelessness in 40 years. It was inspiring to be with so many people who fight so hard for housing justice. And infuriating that we are talking about criminalizing homelessness instead of housing solutions. By 2044, Washington needs over 523,000 units affordable for the state’s lowest earners. That’s 26,100 units annually — and we are not on track. At Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Puget Sound, we are mobilizing resources and improving access to capital so more housing organizations and emerging developers can build. But we need to do more - much more. Despite our region’s abundance of wealth, we often exhibit a scarcity mindset toward #homelessness. Even among advocates, there can be resistance to new ideas. It’s time to support a full spectrum of housing options — more shelters, tiny homes, recovery housing, social housing, public housing and permanent supportive housing. And we must remove barriers and increase funding for developers to build at the scale and pace of the crisis. https://lnkd.in/gzRgQ-YG #grantspass #affordablehousing #housingnothandcuffs #housingendshomelessness #johnsvgrantspass

Did you know that a quarter of people experiencing homelessness in Victoria are aged between 12 and 24? Today is Youth Homelessness Matters Day – a day that recognises the resilience of young people affected by homelessness. While vulnerable young people need support in every part of Victoria, pockets of regional cities are some of the most disadvantaged in the nation.  Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy recommended the Victorian Government invest in 6 Youth Foyer facilities in regional Victoria. These facilities provide options for young people at risk of homelessness and help tackle youth unemployment and disengagement from education. We identified Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Morwell, Wangaratta and Wodonga as suitable locations for Youth Foyers due to existing public transport links and access to education and community services in those cities.     The Victorian Government is building more than 130 new homes for young people across Victoria, which will include youth foyers. Delivering more Youth Foyers aligns with other Victorian Government programs to support young people such as Home Stretch and Raising Expectations. Independent evaluations of Youth Foyers show improvements in educational attainment, housing stability and health outcomes.     You can read more about our recommendations to foster regional Victorians’ health, wellbeing and inclusion in Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy https://lnkd.in/gBPFjbEG