Homelessness ‘crisis’ pushes councils to the brink
Local councils are struggling to tackle a homelessness crisis that has spread far beyond inner city streets.
Two-thirds of Australian councils view homelessness as a significant or acute problem in their community; this rate was about 10 percent in the 2010s.
The finding comes from a recent study by the University of New South Wales, which says councils are ill-equipped and at the forefront of the post-pandemic housing crisis.
The study, published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues, surveyed 167 councils and included case studies in metropolitan, regional and coastal areas.
Lead researcher Andrew Clarke, from the UNSW School of Social Sciences and Center for Urban Futures Research, said the geography of homelessness had changed dramatically.
“Homelessness is no longer a problem faced by a handful of inner city councils, but has become a widespread problem across Australia,” Dr Clarke said.
“The post-pandemic housing crisis has pushed homelessness into communities that have historically been unable to cope.”
The study found that councils are increasingly expected to take action despite having no formal responsibility for homelessness policy or service delivery.
More than three-quarters of councils said the concerns of residents, businesses and community groups were the main driver for action.
“As homelessness becomes more visible in public spaces, councils responsible for parks, libraries and streets are effectively on the front lines of the crisis,” Dr Clarke said.
95 percent of municipalities that see homelessness as a significant problem said the problem has gotten worse over the past five years.
Nearly two-thirds described the increase as “significant.”
Regional cities reported the highest levels of concern; 88 percent described homelessness as significant, acute, or very acute.
The research found councils are increasingly acting as the “eyes and ears” of local homelessness systems, with many identifying rough sleepers and connecting them to support services.
Others coordinated charities and institutions or helped facilitate temporary accommodation and affordable housing projects.
Councils are also moving away from punitive interventions, such as removing homeless people from public spaces, the researchers said.
“There has been a real cultural shift, with councils wanting to prioritize care and coordination over compliance,” Dr Clarke said.
But these efforts are undermined by serious shortages of affordable and social housing, the report says.
Nearly 80 per cent of councils surveyed cited financial pressures as a major obstacle, with many also pointing to staff shortages and limited statutory powers.
Dr Clarke said local authorities could play an important role in responding to homelessness.
But lasting change will require major investment in social housing and stronger coordination between all levels of government.
“The takeaway here is clear: councils are part of the solution, but they can’t do it without the resources and housing supply to support them,” he said.
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