Sleeping rough: a profile of Specialist Homelessness Services clients

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Release Date: 03 Aug 2018

Author: AIHW

Media release

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Rough sleepers are the most visible population experiencing homelessness. This report explores the circumstances, experiences and housing outcomes of rough sleepers who sought assistance from specialist homelessness services between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2015.

Based on service use patterns across a 4-year period, this comprehensive analysis highlights the diversity and the complexities of the rough sleeper population.

ISBN: 978-1-76054-398-3
Cat. no: HOU 297
Pages: 96

Findings from this report:

Rough sleepers most frequently seek accommodation or financial services – more common for clients aged 15-24 years
As at 30 June 2015, 53% of rough sleepers remained homeless (31% still rough sleeping). 27% were housed
Short-term or emergency accommodation most commonly provided to rough sleepers (needed by 88%, provided to 86%)
1 in 5 rough sleepers experienced repeat homelessness – higher for Indigenous clients and those aged 15-24

Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Summary
1 Introduction
- Defining homelessness
- Different types of rough sleepers
- How do people become homeless?
- How do people exit homelessness?
- Chronic homelessness and rough sleepers
2 Who seeks help for homelessness?
- Who is sleeping rough?
- Key comparative findings
3 Persistent service users
- Who are persistent service users?
- Why did persistent service users seek assistance?
- What services did persistent service users need?
- What services were provided to persistent service users?
- What are the gaps in service provision?
- How do persistent service users engage with services?
- What are the housing outcomes for persistent service users?
- What does this tell us?
4 Service cyclers
- Who are service cyclers?
- Why did service cyclers seek assistance?
- What services did service cyclers need?
- What services were provided to service cyclers?
- What are the gaps in service provision?
- How do service cyclers engage with services?
- What are the housing outcomes for service cyclers?
- What does this tell us?
5 Transitory service users
- Who are transitory service users?
- Why did transitory service users seek assistance?
- What services did transitory service users need?
- What services were provided to transitory service users?
- What are the gaps in service provision?
- How do transitory service users engage with services?
- What are the housing outcomes for transitory service users?
- What does this tell us?
Appendix A: Background information
Appendix B: Technical information
Scope and coverage
References

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