Specialist homelessness services annual report 2021-2022

The “Specialist homelessness services annual report 2021-2022” has recently been published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It outlines the characteristics of people accessing specialist homeless services (SHS) in 2021-2022, including the services they requested, outcomes attained, and services that could not be provided. People experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness are among Australia’s most socially and economically disadvantaged and having a safe, secure place to stay is essential for people's physical, social and emotional health.

In the report, there is information for each state and territory, as well as sections on young people who access SHS alone and those in or leaving care. In Queensland, 1 in 125 people received assistance across 2021-2022, with 15-24 year olds presenting alone being the fourth biggest cohort. These young people were largely seeking help due to housing crises and family and domestic violence, with three out of five being returning clients. 

The national picture for young people accessing specialist homeless services was similar. Just under 4% of these young people were able to be provided with long term housing, over 80% with housing were helped to sustain tenure. General services such as living skills, personal development and education, training and employment, and brokerage were more likely requested by young people than other populations.

To read the report go to “Specialist homelessness services annual report 2021–22”