Australian Homelessness Surges to Record Levels as Rental Costs Soar

A new report reveals a 22% rise in homelessness over three years, driven by extreme rent inflation and housing shortages.

An estimated 10,000 more Australians are becoming homeless each month compared to three years ago, with the total rising 22% since 2020.
National median rents have increased by 51% since March 2020, with a 29% rise even after adjusting for inflation, outpacing income growth and worsening rental stress.
Homelessness services are overwhelmed, reporting a 12% rise in monthly caseloads since 2019-2020 and a 44% increase in the average duration of client support over five years.
Groups increasingly affected include families, older women, people with disabilities, and even employed individuals such as teachers and nurses unable to afford housing.
Government commitments to build 60,000 new social housing units by 2030 offer some relief, but experts warn the scale of need far exceeds current plans, calling for more sustained investment.