"NO CRIB FOR A BED" THIS CHRISTMAS: Salvation Army statistics shed light on the issue of homelessness
4 December 2012
The Salvation Army is urging individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet this Christmas to get help early to avoid becoming homeless.
It is estimated that 25,000 families will be homeless around Australia this Christmas. Salvation Army statistics reflect the extent of the problem across the country:
- 16,934 homeless individuals and families assisted by The Salvation Army in 2012; and
- 2,164 individuals and families assisted by The Salvation Army in 2012 who were sleeping in their car, a tent or an improvised dwelling.
“Our front-line staff members are telling us of some of the extreme cases they are seeing. For example, we have heard about a family of ten people living in a car, and of a tiny rental property being shared by two families (with both sets of parents working) just to meet the cost of living. We are hearing of mums and dads and kids living in tents in caravan parks… it’s heartbreaking,” says Major Harmer. “What kind of a Christmas will these children have?”
This Christmas, The Salvation Army will give hope to more than 300,000 Australians by helping with food, bills and accommodation. Around 500,000 gifts – generously donated by the Australian public (mostly via the Kmart Wishing Tree) – will be given to families doing it tough.
“Our centre staff are doing the best they can by providing help with food, clothing and household bills – even giving people tents and sleeping bags in some cases – because there is simply not enough emergency housing to cope with the number of people who are forced to sleep rough,” says The Salvation Army’s Major Bruce Harmer.
The Salvation Army operates a number of programs to assist people at risk of becoming homeless, including its Emergency Relief Vulnerable Persons Program, and also has a limited number of crisis accommodation beds for those who find themselves with nowhere to go.
“The message that we want to give to people who are having trouble coping is to seek help early and to pay their rent first – before any other bill,” says Major Harmer. “It is easier for us to help people before they become homeless than when they are on the street.”
SALVATION ARMY HOMELESSNESS STATISTICS – A REGIONAL BREAKDOWN
Number of homeless people helped at Salvation Army Centres across Australia:
Australian Capital Territory
The Salvation Army assisted 268 homeless individuals and families in the Australian Capital Territory in 2012.
New South Wales
The Salvation Army assisted 3,534 homeless individuals and families in New South Wales in 2012, with the regional breakdown as follows:
- Sydney: 1,025
- Western Sydney: 658
- Blue Mountains: 38
- Central Coast: 127
- Illawarra: 107
- Newcastle / Hunter: 361
- Northern NSW: 678
- Shoalhaven / Southern Highlands / Southern NSW: 247
- Western NSW: 293
Queensland
The Salvation Army assisted 1,969 homeless individuals and families in Queensland in 2012, with the regional breakdown as follows:
- Brisbane: 521
- Central QLD: 214
- North QLD: 298
- South QLD: 936
Victoria
The Salvation Army assisted 3,473 homeless individuals and families in Victoria in 2012, with the regional breakdown as follows:
- Melbourne Central: 2,074
- Eastern Victoria: 1,855
- Western Victoria: 580
- Northern Victoria: 1,038
Western Australia
The Salvation Army assisted 1,755 homeless individuals and families in Western Australia in 2012.
Tasmania
The Salvation Army assisted 742 homeless individuals and families in Tasmania in 2012.
South Australia
The Salvation Army assisted 2,123 homeless individuals and families in South Australia in 2012
Northern Territory
The Salvation Army assisted 996 homeless individuals and families in the Northern Territory in 2012