Australians have proven they care about homelessness
7 July 2026
Now it’s time to act towards ending it — for good!
By Jena Clarke, Policy and Advocacy Support Co-Ordinator
Does the average Australian care about social justice? Research conducted by The Salvation Army demonstrates that we do — deeply. We heard from people from all walks of life across the nation on the issues they care most about. The overwhelming consensus — Australians are most concerned about housing affordability and homelessness.
The Social Justice Stocktake — community voices amplified
The Salvation Army 2025 Social Justice Stocktake (the Stocktake) was an extensive research survey project conducted nationally, with the aim of discovering and highlighting the country's most urgent community priorities. This survey allowed to us to hear directly from individuals and communities across Australia and include their voices in how we advocate for change.
The survey provided responses from nearly 16,000 Australians across every federal electorate in the country, about the issues they were noticing in their communities, and what they wanted decision makers to know and do about them.
Homelessness and housing affordability — a collective concern
Over 70 per cent of respondents identified housing affordability and homelessness as the issue of primary concern in their community.
One individual stated, “it’s happening everywhere. Even at our local lake people are sleeping in their cars and even caravans pulled up now, and I assume they are homeless as well.”
At an individual level, concern about housing instability was the second most significant issue — with mental health being the primary concern — impacting people. That’s around 35.5 per cent of respondents who reported housing stability was having an impact on them personally.
One person shared with us, “[people] don’t realise how hard it is for those living week to week. Housing is really hard to find right now because of the cost of rentals.”
Homelessness and housing affordability also featuring among the top five social justice issues in every single electorate in Australia.
There are over 122,000 people experiencing homelessness across Australia, a figure likely to rise with 1growing rental stress. In 2022, an estimated 3 million people were at risk of homelessness. This data, coupled with The Salvation Army’s own experience as a provider of homelessness services, shows homelessness is a much more common experience among people who have been marginalised or faced disadvantage in some way over time. Homelessness is not caused by an individual’s failings. However, those facing poor mental health, lack of employment or involvement with the justice system, become part of marginalised groups that are at higher risk2.
Research also suggests incidences of homelessness disproportionately impact those who have faced family and domestic violence, young people, children under care and protection orders, First Nations people, people leaving health or social care arrangements, and older people. This statement is evident in the results of the recent Red Sheild Report, which states that 30 per cent of female respondents3 said they had stayed in or delayed leaving an unsafe relationship because they could not afford to leave.
Increased living costs — key contributor to Australia’s housing crisis
The Stocktake revealed Australians are frustrated by the cost-of-living crisis, which is exacerbated by growing stress in the affordability of housing. With the housing crisis persisting, the financial hardship and overall challenges being faced by Aussie households are real — 62 per cent of mortgage holders are experiencing mortgage stress, 38 percent of homeowners are having difficulty covering household expenses, and 44 per cent of renters face challenges in meeting rent payments.4
According to one survey respondent in the Stocktake, ‘there are massive issues that can’t continue to be ignored. These issues are causing people to take their lives, be homeless and not afford basic needs. Start acknowledging them and do something about it before more lives are lost.” Another said, “there is homelessness in our community, and the cost of housing is out of reach.”
With everyday individuals and communities across Australia facing housing insecurity, those already vulnerable and doing it tough are at greater risk of being pushed into homelessness.
The overwhelming sentiment from the survey was unanimous — change is needed, and the time is now!
The Salvation Army homelessness services
This Homelessness Week, The Salvation Army is committed to advocating for housing justice and putting an end to homelessness — for good. Through our vast network of support services and community programs we walk alongside those in need across the country — from metro cities to small country towns and everywhere in between.
As one of the largest providers of crisis accommodation and homelessness support services in Australia, through our work of helping people every day, we recognise that housing affordability has a direct impact on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people every day. We add our voice to the call for change and work towards ending homelessness for good and improve housing affordability.
What you can do to help end homelessness
We can all act for change. This Homelessness Week, we ask Australians to consider the actions we outlined in the Social Justice Stocktake:
1. Make change by urging actions from our governments
The Salvation Army believes that our governments can work together to make change and commit to ending homelessness across Australia. Governments should invest in a bold social housing build program, tailored to community-specific needs and making up 10 per cent of all housing, as well as working to improve the affordability of housing for all Australians.
2. Make change in our communities and our workplaces
Homelessness often means isolation for those experiencing homelessness. Our community spaces and workplaces have a part to play in ending homelessness and being there for those who are experiencing homelessness. Simply keeping community spaces, activities and memberships affordable and accessible to those experiencing financial hardship or homelessness can make a big difference. Likewise, businesses should seek to not discriminate against those experiencing homelessness. Let’s all think of opportunities to support these members of our community.
3. Make change by the influence we have in our personal lives
We can work to challenge the stigma associated with those experiencing homelessness. Those experiencing homelessness and housing stress deserve dignity, respect and opportunities. We can be the change by changing how we think and interact with others.
If we wish to end homelessness for good, we need to address housing affordability, invest meaningfully in social housing, support people out of poverty and embed real, long-lasting change. Safe and affordable housing is for all people, wherever they may be across Australia.
Together, we can help end homelessness — for good.
Visit The Salvation Army 2025 Social Justice Stocktake to learn more about homelessness in Australia, and how you can help.