NAN-F-18
Women
Canberra, Dec. 14, 2017 (Xinhua/NAN) The number of homeless Australian women has increased by 21 per cent since 2013, according to statistics released on Thursday by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The record showed that average Australian seeking help for homelessness were women between 25 years and 34 years, often with at least one child and escaping family violence.
It revealed that out of 288,000 homeless Australians, 172,800 or 60 per cent were women.
The data also showed that the number of homeless men had risen by 14 per cent from 2013.
The AIHW Specialist Homelessness Service said that domestic violence was the top driver of homelessness, with 37 per cent of people without homes and attributed it to domestic or family violence.
Activist group, Homelessness Australia, said the hyper-competitive rental market was responsible, with part-time working single mothers unable to afford rent in the current economic climate.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is committed to maintaining the current funding of 990 million dollars annually for social and affordable housing in the May budget, but Homelessness Australia’s Jenny Smith said it was not enough.
“In spite of thousands more people lining up at agency doors every year, federal homelessness funding to the states has not increased in real terms.
“Women and children fleeing domestic violence, young people who can’t stay with their families and long-term rough sleepers looking for a bed for the night are paying the price, while the federal government sits on its hands.
“Homelessness will continue to rise until governments drastically boost social housing and properly fund homelessness services,” Smith said. (Xinhua/NAN)
OYE/OPI
=====
Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole and Olisa Ifeajika