Ending and preventing homelessness in Australia

Is it possible to end homelessness?

We believe it is possible to end homelessness in Australia, and we are working towards a future where homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring. 

To end homelessness, we need to: 

• Prevent homelessness: this means meeting the needs of people who are at risk of entering homelessness such as addressing insecure housing and increased cost of living 
• Make housing more affordable and available: ending homelessness involves widespread societal and structural change 
• Increase community awareness: when more people are informed about the issue of homelessness, its drivers and solutions, there’s more urgency for action 
• Work together: as a community, as a society, with other service providers and government sectors to create lasting, widespread change 

How does The Salvation Army help end and prevent homelessness for individuals?  

Ending and preventing homelessness is dependent on addressing the drivers of homelessness and the barriers that may get in the way of a person overcoming (exiting) homelessness for good. Because experiences of homelessness are complex and dynamic, The Salvation Army takes a ‘wraparound’ approach to ending homelessness for individuals. Meaning we consider the whole person, not just their sleeping situation, and we tailor our response to meet people’s unique situations.  

Our first step towards supporting people who are experiencing homelessness is to meet their basic needs. This may involve a hot meal, a bag of groceries or a safe place to stay. We then work alongside people to identify their goals and guide them with appropriate services on a long-term journey.  

We do this for people experiencing homelessness to help them move through this moment in their life, and we do this for people who are at risk of homelessness, to help prevent them from losing their housing. We may also refer them to other Salvation Army services that can meet their needs. 

This wraparound — or holistic — support works to both prevent and end homelessness. It may include:  

• Supporting people into our Salvos Housing programs for crisis, transitional or long-term housing  
• Help with securing housing, including tenancy advocacy to keep their current living situation  
• Empowering individuals who have experienced family and domestic violence
• Working with people to address substance use  
• Supporting people’s mental, emotional and spiritual health  
• Financial counselling, money management and debt repayment strategies 

We also refer people to external services. Most importantly, everything is delivered with dignity, without discrimination, in collaboration and to a high standard, with the goal that everybody feels supported and respected through their journey with the Salvos.

We want to see everyone living in a safe, secure and affordable home — and achieving lasting ‘good’ in their lives, whether that’s participation in a community, improved employment opportunities or an increased sense of wellbeing. The Salvation Army believes in good for all people and we believe safe housing is a human right that everyone deserves.

Advocating to end homelessness

As well as helping people practically, The Salvation Army advocates to prevent and end homelessness in Australia. We get involved in research, write submissions to the government, and meet with government representatives to speak about the issue of homelessness and what can be done about it. 

The Report on Government Services 2023-2024: Housing and homelessness, shows that of all clients who experienced homelessness nationally in 2023–24, over a quarter experienced persistent homelessness. That means action is needed to keep people housed and avoid repeated episodes of homelessness. 

We partner with other agencies to advocate to the government and speak to them about:  

• Increasing family and domestic violence support programs and policies — as this is a key driver towards people experiencing homelessness  
• Introducing solutions for rental availability and pricing  
• Addressing the general cost of living crisis in Australia  
• Increasing the amount of affordable and social housing available to people on low incomes 

The Salvation Army is passionate about supporting people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness with our wraparound approach and we firmly believe societal and structural change — particularly in relation to housing affordability — is how we can end homelessness. Preventing homelessness means we can eventually end homelessness in Australia. 

Advocate with us

We’d love to hear your thoughts about the housing crisis and homelessness, and what you think can be done about it. We will create a report for local members of parliament using your answers along with those from other people in your area. 

Simple steps you can take to help end homelessness

There are many ways you can help people who are experiencing homelessness.  

• Get informed: Read our homelessness statistics articles and understand who is affected by homelessness in Australia. 
• Stay informed: Sign up to the Everybody’s Home campaign to learn more about homelessness and get involved in campaigns.  
• Be empathetic: Learn more about what it means to be without a home by reading people’s stories of struggle through to hope. 
• Break down stigmas: Talk to your family, friends and colleagues about homelessness. Share the information you’ve learned on this page or ask them how they are affected by the housing and cost-of-living crises.  
• Offer practical support: If you have some time to share, become a volunteer at a local Salvos service that supports people experiencing homelessness or facing other challenges.  
• Donate: Your generosity to our homelessness services can provide warm meals, safe beds and case management sessions.  

Every person deserves dignity and respect, and a safe, affordable and secure home. Together, we can all do something to end homelessness.