Sleeping rough: a profile of Specialist Homelessness Services clients

Publication
Release Date: 03 Aug 2018
Author: AIHW
Media release

PDF Report (4.4Mb)

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:

1 in 5 rough sleepers experienced repeat homelessness – higher for Indigenous clients and those aged 15-24
Rough sleepers most frequently seek accommodation or financial services – more common for clients aged 15-24 years
Rough sleepers most likely male, 35 or over, unemployed, live alone, with mental health and/or drug or alcohol issues
Short-term or emergency accommodation most commonly provided to rough sleepers (needed by 88%, provided to 86%)

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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