What is 'Homelessness'?

Having a home is not just a roof over one’s head, it includes security, stability, privacy, safety, and the ability to control ones living space.

Homelessness is not having one or more of these elements, and there are three different categories homelessness can fall into according to (Mackenzie and Chamberlain’s, 1992) 

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Primary homelessness

Primary homelessness is experienced by people without established accommodation (e.g. sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings)

Secondary homelessness

Secondary homelessness is experienced by people who frequently move from one temporary shelter to another (e.g. emergency accommodation, youth refuges, “couch surfing”).

Tertiary homelessness

Tertiary homelessness is experienced by people staying in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards (e.g. boarding housing and caravan parks).

Responding to homelessness

Just giving someone a house or a place to stay may not completely solve their homelessness. They often need different kinds of help to make sure they don't end up homeless again.

It's important to understand that being homeless is not a crime. You don't have to call emergency services (000) for homelessness. Here are some ideas to help us be kind and consistent in supporting someone who doesn't have a place to stay.

What Causes Homelessness?

Homelessness is not a choice, there are several complex and diverse, reasons and situations that can lead a person or a family to experience homelessness or be at risk of homelessness.

The causes of homelessness are often misunderstood. A chronic shortage of social housing, an increasingly unaffordable private rental market, and inadequate income support means struggle to find a secure and affordable place to live.

In Victoria, the top three reasons for people seeking homelessness and housing assistance are financial difficulties, family and domestic violence, and the housing crisis.

Homelessness is not a choice.

Homelessness is a state of experience caused by systemic differences and inequities in services.

Visible form of homelessness is when people live in cars, or on the street, in parks, reserves or may constantly be moving around between different households. This only makes up to 7% of all people experiencing homelessness.

Key terms to familiarise:

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Rooming House

A rooming house is a building where you can rent a room. There should be at least four people living in these rooms or a specific declaration in place. In a rooming house, you only have your room to yourself, but you share common areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces.

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is homes that are right for people with lower to middle incomes. The cost of these homes (whether you're paying a mortgage or rent) allows you to manage your basic living expenses.

Public Housing

These are homes owned and managed by the Director of Housing. They're offered to disadvantaged Victorians who might be unemployed, have low incomes, disabilities, mental health challenges, or are at risk of not having a place to live.

Community Housing

Houses owned or managed by community housing agencies for people with low incomes. These agencies are regulated by the government.

Social Housing

Social housing is a general term covering both public housing and community housing. It usually involves some financial support.

Mortgage Stress

This happens when you spend more than 30% of your household income on paying off your home loan and other housing-related expenses.

Rental Stress

Rental stress is when more than 30% of your household income goes towards paying rent. This is usually used for households with lower incomes.

Housing Affordability Stress (HAS)

HAS happens when over 30% of your income is used for mortgage or rent. It's a way to measure if housing is too expensive for people with lower incomes.

Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS)

These are services provided by special groups to help people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. They offer accommodation, help to keep a stable home, support for family issues, mental health support, legal and financial advice, and more.

How is City of Casey supporting reducing homelessness in Casey?

Social Housing Group Charter

The City of Casey is one of 13 councils part of the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Group Charter. They are committed to addressing the urgent need for increased social housing and an improved, integrated, and supported homelessness service system.

South East Housing and Homelessness Alliance

Consisting of representatives across 3 municipalities Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia with a membership that is diverse containing agencies that have health, wellbeing and a broader social welfare focus. 

A working group that will advocate for improvement within the challenged housing sector.

More information

There are various sources of national, state and local level information about housing and homelessness:

• Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue | Australian Human Rights Commission
• Council to homelessness persons
• Homelessness Australia
• What's happening in my area
• City of Casey housing monitor
• AIHW Dashboard