Number of homeless people on the rise – article in Sydney Morning Herald
As the Order is in the process of starting the 2013 Coast for the Homeless distribution, the following article from the Sydney Morning Herald reports findings from a report by the federal Auditor-General that highlights homelessness in Australia is an ongoing and growing issue.
Number of homeless people on the rise
More than 100,000 people are homeless in Australia, with nearly 7000 sleeping rough on streets and in parks and public spaces, new research shows.
A report by the federal Auditor-General found despite governments committing $1.1 billion since 2008 to tackling homelessness, the number of homeless people increased from almost 90,000 in 2006 to more than 105,000 people by 2011.
It was unlikely state and territory governments would achieve the expected 7 per cent reduction in homelessness by July this year, a target set in 2008, the report said.
The causes of homelessness included domestic violence, a shortage of affordable housing, unemployment, mental illness, family breakdown, and drug and alcohol abuse, the report titled Implementation of the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness said. It recommended strengthening the design of future funding arrangements by the state and territory governments.
Article by Melissa Davey, Sydney Morning Herald
Read the original article: http://www.smh.com.au/national/number-of-homeless-people-on-the-rise-20130504-2izlr.html
More on article on Coats for the Homeless:
