Tackling the causes of homelessness

ACOSS is pressing for the upcoming federal Budget to increase funds for social housing, and to introduce measures that will encourage and facilitate investment in low cost housing.

iii) Unemployment levels

Continuing relatively high levels of unemployment is also a key issue needing to be addressed in any integrated strategy to reduce homelessness. Unemployment is the major cause of poverty. Poverty rates have increased among unemployed households, from under 20% of such households in 1975 to over 60% today. Problems increase with length of unemployment, as people run down all available resources, become more socially isolated, and more ‘unattractive’ to potential employers.

The most pressing task is to improve opportunities for the one-third of all unemployed people who have been jobless for a year or more. Cuts to the federal employment services budget mean that most of these people do not get intensive assistance. ACOSS is lobbying hard to get these cuts reversed.

Effective action in these areas would not only assist those who are most disadvantaged in our society, but would help to preserve the social fabric and harmony of our communities. Our leaders need to find the drive, commitment and resources to square up to the challenge.