Exploring

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines homelessness, for the purposes of the Census of Population and Housing, as the lack of one or more elements that represent ‘home’.

The ABS statistical definition of homelessness is ‘… when a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:

• is in a dwelling that is inadequate;

• has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable; or

• does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations’ (ABS 2012).

Tenure definition, the holding or possessing of anything

Diversity

The concept of diversity means understanding that each person is unique and recognising individual differences.

Table 1: Number of homeless persons, by homelessness type, Census night 2016

Type of homelessness

Number

Persons living in improvised dwellings, tents, or sleeping out (rough sleepers)

8,200

Persons in supported accommodation for the homeless

21,235

Persons staying temporarily with other households

17,725

Persons living in boarding houses

17,503

Persons in other temporary lodgings

678

Persons living in severely crowded dwellings

51,088

All homeless persons

116,427

Source: ABS 2018.

Terminology

Activity:

Brainstorm examples of positive and negative terminology used to describe homeless people.

Positive

- Unfortunate

Negative

- Burden

- Dole Bludger

Map out the impact of this terminology on the wellbeing (SPEECS) of individuals belonging to this group.

Use the information above to develop a response to the following questions:

• What determines whether an individual is part of the group homeless people? (2 marks)

• How might individuals vary within the group? Provide specific examples to support your answer (6 marks)

• The community uses both positive and negative terminology to describe homeless people. Discuss the impact this might have on the wellbeing of individuals within the group (6 marks).