Types of Homelessness, Beyond Sleeping Rough
Types of Homelessness, Beyond Sleeping Rough
We’ve surveyed hundreds of Aussies, and there’s a huge gap in the community’s understanding of homelessness, and what we’re seeing on the ground. Understanding the types of homelessness, and hearing the real, human stories from people with lived experience, is how we can better understand the challenges and circumstances faced by those doing it tough.
Chances are, you’ve seen what homelessness looks like on your commute to work or on a night out. But have you thought about what it looks like beyond someone sleeping rough? The stats might surprise you.
In stark contrast to stereotypes, the latest Census data indicated that only 6.2% of Australians experiencing homelessness are rough sleepers.
That means the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness are those you’d never guess – just every day Aussies who are struggling against financial hardship, invisible to the public eye. Homelessness could be a family in a motel not knowing how long they can afford the room for, a young person couch surfing, or someone living in a car.
As we mark Homelessness Week, it’s time to look beyond the stereotypes and understand the many ways homelessness and hardship affects people across the country. This is your one-stop guide to understanding the data, so you’re better informed to better support those doing it tough.
Homelessness, hardship and disconnection
Homelessness, hardship and disconnection from the community go hand in hand, and the pathway from struggling to make ends meet to experiencing homelessness is shortening. It’s a story our volunteers know all too well.
Every person deserves a safe, functional home that meets the most basic standards of hygiene, security, and comfort. But right now, more than 122,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness and living in places that fall far short of these standards.
New Zealand and Australia have two of the highest rates of homelessness in OECD countries (OECD Affordable Housing Database, 2020). Equally concerningly, data from OECD indicates there’s a growing homeless population globally too, exacerbated by COVID-19.
Orange Sky exist to positively connect communities across Australia, New Zealand and the world – and this National Homelessness Week, we hope to use education as a powerful tool.
What are the three types of homelessness?
Primary homelessness includes people who are rough sleeping or living in improvised dwellings such as tents or cars – the kind of homelessness that might spring to mind when you picture it. On Census night 2021, just 6.2% of Australians experiencing homelessness were in this category.
While this is the most visible form of homelessness, it makes up only a small portion of the total. Nearly a quarter (23%) of people experiencing homelessness are aged 12–24 – a figure that challenges the stereotype and highlights that young people, families, and working individuals are all affected.
Cass is one of those people. A working mum of two, she was diagnosed with cancer and became too ill to work. When her Centrelink payments were stopped, she fell behind on rent. With nowhere else to go, she began living out of her car.
I lost my home and was reduced to living in a hatchback. I also lost my children. It was devastating."
Cass’s experience isn’t rare – and it’s a powerful reminder of how quickly someone’s life can change due to illness, financial pressure or housing instability.
Secondary homelessness includes people who move frequently between temporary accommodation, including emergency shelters, refuges, or staying with friends and family. This is often referred to as hidden homelessness.
Olivia is a friend who has faced secondary homelessness. After staying in her car and moving between relatives, she found temporary motel accommodation – but with no access to laundry.
Tertiary homelessness refers to people living in overcrowded, substandard and/or insecure housing such as boarding houses or long-term motels, where residents lack security of tenure, privacy, and access to essential amenities.
These forms of homelessness are often overlooked, but they highlight the growing issue of housing insecurity in Australia. For many, like Paige, a roof over their head doesn’t mean a stable, long-term or safe home.
Paige is a single mum escaping a violent relationship. She and her three children are living in a motel with no laundry facilities.
Paige now uses Orange Sky’s Pick Up program, where volunteers collect laundry from families and return it clean, while providing friendly, judgement-free connection. For her children, Orange Sky is a highlight of their week.
“Wednesday is our favourite day. The kids get so excited to see Orange Sky.”
Breaking the stereotypes
The truth is that homelessness can impact anyone, and sometimes all it takes is a rental increase, the loss of employment, or an unfortunate circumstance for the cycle to begin.
Resources like Mission Australia’s 7 Myths of Homelessness help challenge harmful misconceptions. But most of all, listening to people’s lived experiences – like Cass, Paige and Olivia – reminds us that behind every statistic is a real person, doing their best in tough circumstances.
When we yarn with volunteers who have been a part of Orange Sky for as long as Donna has, we know we’ve been doing something right.
People like Donna are far more crucial to Orange Sky’s mission than any load of laundry or shower. Every time she pulls up a chair for a friend in need of connection, cracks a joke and creates a sense of belonging – that’s when the magic happens.
Homelessness is complex and often hidden. It can happen to anyone – and the reasons behind it are just as diverse as the people affected.
At Orange Sky, we’re committed to offering more than clean laundry and showers. We provide connection, compassion, and a safe space for people to be seen and heard.
You can help bring clean laundry, comfort and connection to Aussies experiencing hidden homelessness.
