Homelessness Australia calls for boost to support services ahead of 2025 federal election

New research reveals homelessness is a key issue for voters, as more than 120,000 Aussies facing homelessness reveal they’re not getting the support they need.

Voters are looking for increased support for homelessness services, as more than 120,000 Australians facing homelessness reveal they’re not getting the support they need.

The latest Homelessness Australia analysis found 75,277 people are turned away by overstretched homelessness services each year, while 48,195 people don’t even make it through the door.

The analysis, which cross-referenced data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Productivity Commission and Impact Economics, revealed these unmet needs could be fulfilled with an overall funding boost of $671m.

New research reveals homelessness is at top of mind for voters. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Homelessness Australia chief executive officer Kate Colvin said voters were becoming increasingly aware of the risk of homelessness as cost of living pressures continue to hit household budgets.

“People’s fears have escalated beyond missing a rent or mortgage payment,” Ms Colvin said.

“They now fear being turfed out of their home, with no safety net to catch them.

“Our housing crisis has created a national homelessness emergency and voters want to know the government has their back.

“This data shows there is a political opportunity to put forward a plan to catch people before they fall into homelessness and ensure that no one is ever turned away because support services are overstretched.”

Homelessness Australia chief executive officer Kate Colvin says voters are looking to the politicians to step and provide support for those at risk of homelessness. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The latest Redbridge data found there was increasing support for increasing investment in services for homeless children and young people, with 86 per cent of voters aged 18-34 showing support and 92 per cent of voters aged 65 and older supporting the idea.

It comes as Redbridge research across 24 battleground electorates also found 60 per cent of respondents under financial stress have noticed an increase in homelessness in their communities.

Ms Colvin said the majority of those polled called for the bolstering of services, including 89 per cent for increased investment for women and children escaping domestic violence, 80 per cent for people sleeping rough, and 73 per cent for those at risk of losing their home.

“We know homelessness not only takes a toll on the people experiencing it, but on the broader community, and people want this issue addressed,” she said.

“This polling shows that ending long-term homelessness is not only the right thing to do, it has deep public support.

“We know what needs to be done to end homelessness and ease the housing crisis, we just need a commitment from the federal government to fund these initiatives. Voters are on board, so it’s time to get it done.”

Ahead of the federal election, the Homelessness Australia is also calling for low cost social or affordable rentals to make up at least 10 per cent of the total housing stock as well as a boost to Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Originally published as Homelessness Australia calls for boost to support services ahead of 2025 federal election