I lost my licence and then lost my job because I was unable to attend work. Then I lost my house because of no work. Depression kicked in majorly, and I've had no choice but to live in my car for the time being.
We found that housing costs placed a heavy financial strain on low-income households, consuming a substantial portion of their income, with many experiencing housing stress. Respondents often fell behind on their rent or mortgage repayments, heightening the threat of eviction and homelessness.
Concerns about losing their homes were common, and this year alone, a significant number had already encountered temporary homelessness. Among those who experienced multiple displacements in the past year, many reported having to couch surf or live in their car at some point in the past 12 months.
Additionally, many respondents were concerned about the quality of their current housing situation, particularly the cost, state of disrepair, safety and the lack of long-term stability.
Housing instability
71% experienced housing stress
45% experienced housing instability due to family or domestic violence in the past 12 months
Overall respondents allocated 43%[1] of their total income towards housing
34% said that finding a safe, affordable and secure place to live was one of their most significant challenges over the past 12 months
33% said they were worried about losing their home and becoming homeless
32% reported missing paying their rent or mortgage on time in the past year due to financial hardship; a rate five times higher than the national average
30% experienced housing instability and had to move because of the high cost of housing
25% reported that experiencing homelessness was one of their greatest challenges
19% of respondents had to couch surf or sleep in their car due to financial hardship
What people shared with us
Factors that contributed to their housing instability
Family or domestic violence – fleeing unsafe situations, leaving without stable housing
Relationship or family breakdown – changes in living arrangements or untenable living situations
Financial hardship – insufficient income, debt or unemployment
Eviction or rental termination – expiration of a lease or a formal eviction process
Health and disability-related challenges – conditions, injuries or disabilities hindering their ability to maintain employment or secure housing
Lack of suitable housing options – limited supply, high competition, discrimination in the rental market or long waiting lists for social housing
Natural disasters or emergencies – fire or flood that destroyed or severely damaged homes, with no safe or functional housing alternative
Social isolation and a lack of support networks – no family, friends or community connections during times of crisis
We were given a no-grounds eviction notice and had to move, which then in turn upped our rent by $230 per week!
49-year-old woman from New South Wales
I was unable to pay my rent, which meant I lost my home. My children had to go and stay with their father until I could find somewhere new. I lived in my car for three months, then couch-surfed for two more months after my car broke down.
30-year-old woman from Victoria
We live in a house with a kitchen sink that leaks into my son's room, which causes _condensation and mould, so we can't use the sink. [We] cannot use the main shower as the bottom is broken, rotted, and at risk of giving way. There is no cooling… Our rent is still being increased without a single thing being fixed, but we can't afford to move. If we complain too much, we can't afford to be turfed out.
35-year-old woman from Victoria
How the Salvos help
In 2024, The Salvos Homelessness services
Assisted more than 38,000 people
Provided almost 354,000 sessions of care to those at risk of or experiencing homelessness
In FY24, The Salvos provided more than 1.1 million nights of accommodation across all social programs [2]
In FY24, Salvos Housing provided more than 3,200 people with housing