Homelessness Facts

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Homelessness can happen to anyone.

• More than 122,400 people across Australia are currently experiencing homelessness.
• People rough sleeping represent less than 7% of all people without a home in Australia. The majority live in temporary, insecure or unsafe housing conditions.
• In Australia, the biggest driver of women experiencing homelessness is domestic and family violence. Some women are more likely to experience homelessness than others. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander women, women with disability, women from migrant or refugee backgrounds, and women with a mental illness are more vulnerable to homelessness.
• Main reasons women and girls seek support from homelessness services:
  • 38% Domestic and Family Violence.
  • 29% Housing crisis, inappropriate housing or accommodation ending.
  • 15% Financial issues and housing affordability.
• In South Australia, more than 6,000 people experience homelessness each night, and more than 30,000 people are on the State’s social housing waiting list.

Useful Links & Resources

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Census of Population and Housing: Estimating Homelessness

Homelessness Australia

Homelessness Australia is the national peak body for homelessness in Australia, providing systemic advocacy for the homelessness sector.

Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot

The 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Family, domestic and sexual violence is a major health, welfare and social issue. It affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds, but mainly women and children. This report brings together a range of sources to report a core set of data in an interactive format, and summarise changes in measures of family, domestic and sexual violence over time.

Office For Women | Government of South Australia

Domestic and Family Violence fact sheets for communities

Shelter SA

The peak body for housing in South Australia, covering advocacy, policy updates, and more.