Australia’s homelessness crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with The Salvation Army warning the nation is facing a housing emergency that demands immediate action.
As Homelessness Week begins (3-9 August), more than 122,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness, while almost 289,000 people sought support from Salvation Army homelessness services in the past year.
Nearly 169,000 households also remain on public housing waiting lists.
The Salvation Army’s 2026 Red Shield Report paints a confronting picture of growing housing insecurity.
Among more than 4,400 Australians surveyed, 75 per cent were experiencing housing stress, rising to 86 per cent among private renters.
Almost 60 per cent had struggled to pay their rent or mortgage, while 37 per cent feared losing their home.
The Salvation Army’s Head of Homelessness, Dr Jed Donoghue, said the crisis is affecting Australians from all walks of life.
“Rising rents, limited housing and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are pushing more Australians to breaking point. We’re seeing working people, families, older women and young people seeking homelessness support because they simply can’t afford a safe place to live,” Donoghue said.
He said homelessness extends well beyond people sleeping rough.
“People are living in cars, couch surfing or staying in overcrowded homes because they have nowhere else to go.”
One local woman described the harsh reality of living in her car.
“I have many sleepless nights worrying about where my next meal is going to come from or how I am going to put fuel in the car for the next day to be able to drive to a toilet,” she said.
Despite common perceptions, rough sleeping accounts for just 6.2 per cent of homelessness, with severely overcrowded housing making up the largest share at 39 per cent.
Women and children represent almost three-quarters of those seeking Salvation Army homelessness support, while more than 50,000 young people required assistance last year.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples also remain disproportionately affected.
Over the past year, The Salvation Army delivered almost 339,000 care sessions, provided more than 653,000 crisis accommodation bed nights, served 1.3 million meals through residential services and supported nearly 35,000 people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Throughout Homelessness Week, Salvation Army teams across Australia will host sleep outs, community events and fundraisers while calling for greater investment in social and affordable housing, early intervention programs, Housing First initiatives and wraparound support services.
“This Homelessness Week we’re calling on governments, communities and Australians to work together to increase the supply of safe, affordable housing and ensure people have the support they need before they reach crisis point,” Donoghue said.
