Ending and preventing homelessness in Australia 

How, together, we can end homelessness 

We believe it is possible to end homelessness, and, when we all work together, we can. The Salvation Army is a leading provider of homelessness services in Australia however, we need to work together with other service providers to meet the needs of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We need the government to make societal and structural changes towards ending homelessness. And we need the support of the community to drive awareness about homelessness. When we rally together, we can end homelessness. And, we believe, it’s time.

How does The Salvation Army help people who are homeless? 

Our first step towards supporting people who are experiencing homelessness is to meet their basic needs and ensure nobody struggles alone. This may involve a hot meal, a bag of groceries, or a safe place to stay. 

In 2021-22, The Salvation Army provided:

• 1.52+ million meals to people who accessed our homelessness services 
• More than 760,000 crisis beds to people who experienced homelessness 
• More than 50,000 nights of accommodation to young people who were at risk of or experienced homelessness 

The Salvation Army takes a wraparound approach to homelessness. This means we work alongside people to identify their needs and goals then guide them with appropriate services on a long-term journey. We do this for people who are already experiencing homelessness, and for those at risk of losing their home. In 2021-22, The Salvation Army provided nearly 318,000 sessions of care to people who were at risk of or experienced homelessness.  

In practical terms, this wraparound – or holistic – support may include: 

• Empowering victim survivors of family violence 
• Working with people to address substance use 
• Supporting people’s mental, emotional and spiritual health 
• Financial counselling, money management and debt repayment strategies through our Moneycare service  
• Tenancy advocacy to keep their current living situation 
• Help with contacting agencies for new properties 
• Placing people into our Salvos Housing program for crisis, transitional or long-term housing 

We will also refer people to many other Salvation Army and external services. Everything is delivered with dignity, without discrimination, in collaboration and to a high standard, with the goal that everybody feels supported and respected through their journey with the Salvos.

How can Australia end and prevent homelessness? 

Ending and preventing homelessness is dependent on addressing both the root causes of homelessness and the barriers that may get in the way of a person overcoming (exiting) homelessness. Family and domestic violence is the most common main presenting reason for people seeking assistance from Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) (27 per cent in 2021-22). This is closely followed by housing crisis (20 per cent). 

Another report from Launch Housing in 2022 showed housing affordability is the most rapidly growing cause of homelessness in the past four years. 

Although The Salvation Army is passionate about supporting people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness with our wraparound approach, we firmly believe societal and structural change — particularly in relation to housing affordability — is how we can end homelessness. Preventing homelessness means we can eventually end homelessness in Australia. 

With this in mind, The Salvation Army partners with other agencies to advocate to the government to: 

• Increase family and domestic violence programs and policies  
• Introduce solutions for rental availability and pricing 
• Address the general cost of living crises in Australia  
• Increase the amount of affordable/social housing available to people on low incomes 

By partnering with other service providers and working with all levels of government, we believe that together we can end homelessness.
Learn more about our recent policy submissions

How can you help to prevent homelessness?

There are lots of ways that you can help people who are experiencing homelessness or prevent people from experiencing homelessness. 

• Increase your empathy: Learn more about what it means to be homeless by reading people’s stories of struggle through to hope.  
• Get informed: Read our homelessness statistics articles and understand who is affected by homelessness in Australia. 
• Reach out for help early: The lack of affordable housing, cost of living challenges or a sudden crisis can make anyone vulnerable to experiencing homelessness. If you — or someone you know — is worried about losing your home, we encourage you to reach out early as there is a lot we can do to support you before you become homeless, or shorten the duration if you already are experiencing homelessness. 
• Advocate with us: If you are passionate about helping us to end homelessness, consider writing to your local member of Parliament. Read our helpful tips to point you in the right direction.  
• Offer practical support: If you have some time to share, spend time volunteering at a local Salvos service that supports people experiencing homelessness or facing other challenges. 
• Donate: Your generosity to our homelessness services can provide warm meals, safe beds and case management sessions. 

Every person deserves dignity and respect, and a safe, affordable and secure home. Together, we can all do something to end homelessness.