1. DEFINITION ABS: “those without settled or fixed accommodation and do not have access to the economic and social support that is usually afforded by most Australian’s”.

2. IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS Demographics has changed.......it used to be middle aged men with drug and or alcohol problems. Over 100,000 people homeless in Australia. Now we see “youth and women” becoming far more common. Homeless youth is a real trend and concern...

3. REASONS FOR BECOMING HOMELESS Abandonment. Family violence and breakdown / sexual assault. Drugs. Alcohol use / abuse. Gambling addictions. Mental health issues. Poverty. Unemployment.

4. SPECIFIC NEEDS 1. Housing. 2. Self – esteem. 3. Access to services. 4. Education. 5. Employment. 6. Health. 7. Safety and security.

5. HOUSING Own homes often dangerous, violent and unsafe. Cheap affordable housing alternatives are scarce. Temporary / emergency accommodation. Often the homeless cannot adhere to the “rules” of the accommodation. Support Accommodation Assistance Program.

6. SELF - ESTEEM Feel they are worthless. Little hope for the future. Lack of skills, can often appear aggressive and hostile. May have had bad experiences with support services previously.

7. ACCESS TO SERVICES Lack of skills. Lack of services available. Lack of funds – often rely on donations. Many support services but demand is high.

8. EDUCATION May be educated but are homeless due to circumstances beyond their control. Hard to view education as a priority......other concerns. Difficult to access because of low self- esteem, no money, can’t concentrate, lack of support networks for study.

9. EMPLOYMENT Many homeless because of unemployment. Difficulties finding employment. Many have to many other issues to be a reliable employee (low SE, drug issues, mental health issues). Lack of education and skills.

10. HEALTH At high risk of a large number of health problems relating to: - Malnourishment. - Mental illness. - Drug and alcohol use / abuse. - Sexual health problems. - Frostbite. - Infections. - Ulcers.

11. SAFETY AND SECURITY Live in unsafe conditions. Accommodation is usually only temporary and short term and gives no “sense of belonging”.

12. SOCIETAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE GROUP Negative. Tended to “ignore” the homeless because they have very little power. Often tend to feel it’s not their problem..... “It’s the homeless persons fault”... They got themselves to this point. Often embarrassment when a city is on display (1996, Alanta). Govt. Has not given the issue the attention or money that has been needed because it is “too hard”. Rudd govt. – given a much greater priority. Afraid of them, see them as “dangerous”.

13. GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS 1. Supported Accommodation Assistance Program. 2. National Homeless Strategy. 3. A Place to Call Home. 4. Reconnect.

14. 1. SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION ASSISSTANCE PROGRAM 1985. Joint Commonwealth and State govt. Project. Provides funding to more than 1200 agencies that provide help to the homeless or those in danger of becoming homeless. It provides housing.

15. 2. NATIONAL HOMELESS STRATEGY May 2000. Commonwealth govt. Aimed at providing a holistic and strategic approach to homelessness. 4 main themes: 1. Working together. 2. Prevention. 3. Early intervention. 4. Crisis transition and support.

16. 3. A Place to Call Home Joint Comm. State and Territory Govt. Initiative. To build 600 new homes for individuals experiencing homelessness. Program commenced in July 2008 and will continue until June 2013. Provides funding for the cost of building new accommodation, making purchases or renovations and providing support services to break the cycle of homelessness.

17. 4. RECONNECT Program which focuses on early intervention services to support individuals aged 12-18 who are at risk of or are currently experiencing homelessness. Offers counselling, mediation and practical support to individuals and their family in the attempt to break the cycle of homelessness.

18. COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY Try and eliminate homelessness. Try to provide for the “needs” of these people to help them solve / deal with their problems and re establish a life. Educate about homelessness. Restore their dignity. Provide appropriate cheap, affordable housing for all.