Summary

This publication is one of eight state and territory supplements that accompany the 2010–11 annual report on the use of government-funded specialist homelessness services in Australia (AIHW 2011a). Information to aid readers in interpreting the data is presented in the national report and appendixes (AIHW 2011i).

In line with the national picture, service users in the Northern Territory:

  • were mostly female
  • were often relatively young
  • included an over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people relative to their population size
  • commonly sought support because of issues in their interpersonal relationships, particularly domestic or family violence
  • immediately on exit from support, were most often living in a house or flat; were not employed; and had a government pension or benefit as their main source of income.

Some other points of interest in the Northern Territory were:

  • the rate of use of specialist homelessness services was the highest nationally and was far higher than in other jurisdictions
  • there was a higher proportion of female clients than in other jurisdictions
  • the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients was the highest nationally and was far higher than in other jurisdictions
  • the proportion of support periods that included a period of specialist homelessness accommodation was the highest nationally
  • clients were supported and accommodated for relatively short periods, with the length of accommodation, in particular, being the shortest nationally
  • seeking support primarily because of domestic or family violence was more frequently reported than in other jurisdictions.