We need affordable, appropriate, safe, and secure housing for all to end homelessness in Tasmania.
Who can become homeless?
At the most recent Census in 2021, 2 350 people in Tasmania were experiencing homelessness, showing a 45% increase from 1 622 at the previous 2016 Census. Homelessness can affect any member of the community, including the very young or elderly, families and single people, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Read our factsheet on Homelessness in Tasmania here.
Homelessness occurs for many reasons, including loss of income or employment, family breakdown or domestic violence, transition from care or custody, mental health, gambling or substance abuse.
In Tasmania, the number of people seeking assistance from homelessness services is higher than other Australian regions – 1 in 86 Tasmanians, compared with 1 in 95 nationally – the most common reasons being:
(AIHW Homelessness Services Data, 2023-24).
What is Homelessness?
The most commonly accepted definition of homelessness comprises of three categories:
Primary homelessness is experienced by people without conventional accommodation (e.g. sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings, including tents).
Secondary homelessness is experienced by people who frequently move from one temporary shelter to another (e.g. emergency accommodation, youth refuge/shelter, “couch-surfing”).
Tertiary homelessness is experienced by people staying in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards (e.g. boarding houses and caravan parks).
The effect of Homelessness
Homelessness can result in great social and economic cost to the individual and to the community. It creates instability, leaves people vulnerable to chronic unemployment, ill health and limits their capacity to participate in the social and economic life of the community. People experiencing homelessness are often living without basic human rights being met.
Specialist Homelessness Services
Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in Tasmania provide housing and accommodation. This includes immediate emergency accommodation, supervised accommodation and placement support services for young people and transitional support services for people experiencing homelessness to (re)establish themselves in independent living. These services also provide information and advice, advocacy and financial supports.
Specialist Homelessness Services support around 6,700 people per year, including emergency shelters and shelters for women and children escaping family violence.
One in 86 Tasmanians received homelessness assistance in 2023-24, higher than the national rate of 1 in 95. In the same year, 42% of requests for medium-term or transitional housing went unmet, making it the most requested and unavailable service.
Click here for the AIHW: Tasmanian Specialist Homelessness Services 2023-2024 factsheet.
What can be done to address Homelessness?
Currently there are many Federal, State and Territory initiatives in place that aim to reduce and prevent homelessness. Change requires improvements in a range of areas: increased housing supply, adequate incomes, employment, health, social security, and the prevention of violence and discrimination.
Shelter Tas advocates for a ‘housing first’ approach and wrap-around support for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Useful Websites & Documents