Behind every homelessness statistic in South Australia is a human story — here are the facts and lived experiences that reveal the reality and urgency of the housing crisis in our state*.
facts about homelessness in SA
too many are homeless or at risk
Over 18,000 South Australians sought help last year — including a growing number of older women and Aboriginal South Australians.
Nationally, the number of homeless older women has risen 40% between 2011 – 2021.
18.7% of homelessness clients in SA were Aboriginal.
services are beyond capacity
1 in 4 people needing accommodation didn’t get it.
2,381 people, or 27% of the people identified by homelessness services as being in need of a place to stay, could not be provided with that service.
SA SPENDS less than others
South Australia spends below the national average per client — and just over half of what’s spent in the ACT.
The national average spend is $5434. The ACT spends $9008.
In 2023-24 SA spent only $4932 per client.
funding
has decreased
After a COVID-era boost, homelessness funding has dropped by over 11% in real terms.
The funding drop – from $102.6m to $92.3m – is a 15.4% cut per client at a time when services are under huge strain.
DV victims face insecure housing
Too many women and children fleeing violence end up homeless — even after seeking help.
In 2022-23, roughly a third of the 3435 women seeking assistance were in insecure housing situations such as being in short-term accommodation, sleeping in cars or couch surfing.
Behind the statistics
The following stories are from two local homelessness services – Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless Persons, and Hutt Street Centre – and capture both the critical, life-changing work of the homelessness sector, but also the critical need for greater resourcing of this work, at a time where more and more people are struggling to keep a roof over their head.
Record-breaking demand
“Hutt St Centre has seen record-breaking demand this year, particularly during Adelaide’s freezing winter months. In response to multiple Code Blue declarations, we extended our opening hours — staying open until 4:30pm on Fridays and midday on Saturdays — to offer a safe, warm place for people with nowhere else to go.
But even with extra staff and volunteers, need continues to outpace our resources.” – Hutt Street
Recovery is possible
“Once sleeping rough in Adelaide’s south parklands, Phillip’s now living in secure housing and planning for the future. With support from our Case Navigation team, Phillip was able to reconnect with healthcare, build back his confidence, and access long-term housing. His journey is proof that with the right support, recovery from homelessness is possible.” – Hutt Street
family stressed
“This Aboriginal family of 4 were doing well, with dad having a gardening service, until their landlord of 10 years evicted them because he was selling their rented house to a developer. They sought our advice and we guided them through the system of application for public housing, but the process included an ever-lengthening period in emergency motel accommodation and the 2 toddlers were becoming stressed.
With the family in danger of breaking up, we redoubled our advocacy and found better emergency accommodation in a “granny flat” of one of our other tenants.” – Adelaide Day Centre
no insurance
“A 72-year-old man came in a car from eastern NSW because his house had been demolished in last year’s floods, and he had no insurance. He has been living off savings, but it was too expensive interstate, so came to Adelaide but could not get a rental. His health broke down, went to Flinders Hospital and the social worker referred him to us, so we put him in Tollgate motel.” – Adelaide Day Centre
* Source: Australian Productivity Commission