Salvos Release First Snapshot on Homelessness

Disadvantaged Australians attribute their homeless situations to family and domestic violence, a lack of affordable housing, and poverty, The Salvation Army’s first snapshot on homelessness has revealed.

The data snapshot of the The Salvation Army’s homelessness services revealed that 22,594 people were assisted by the Salvos in the six months from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

According to the data, 53 per cent of women accessed The Salvation Army women’s homelessness services to escape family and domestic violence situations.

“This report shows for the first time the extent of The Salvation Army’s work with homeless people across Australia,” The Salvation Army’s Dr Bruce Redman said.

“It emphasises our strong commitment to working with people with complex needs, often with no one else to turn to.

“Our 155 homelessness services tell us that their clients struggle to find somewhere to live. The report confirms this, with 44 per cent of people turning to the Salvos because of issues associated with housing affordability and housing crisis.  

“This is still a major national social problem that needs resolving.”

The Salvation Army Homelessness report shows:

• 155 Salvation Army homelessness services operate across Australia;

• More than 310,000 accommodation days were provided between July 1, 2012 and December  31, 2012;

• 53 per cent of women accessing Salvation Army SHS women’s services identified domestic and family violence as their main presenting issue;

• 44 per cent of clients accessing Salvation Army SHS services identified housing affordability or housing crisis as their main presenting issue;

• One in five (20 per cent) of clients accessing Salvation Army SHS services who provided information on their mental health have been diagnosed with a mental health issue;

• One out of every eight clients who accesses all Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in Australia accesses a Salvation Army service;

• 17 per cent of Salvation Army clients identified financial difficulty as their main presenting issue;

• 25 per cent of clients accessing Salvation Army homelessness services have been homeless for more than six months;

• More than 80 per cent of Salvation Army SHS clients identified government support payments as their main source of income.

In December The Salvation Army will assist three times more people compared to any other month and will provide assistance on more than 300,000 occasions.

On Christmas Day more than 8,000 people who do not have somewhere to celebrate will share in a Christmas meal at a Salvation Army centre.