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Summary

The old, derelict wino on the park bench has been joined by younger men, unemployed and hopeless; by the confused and mentally ill, frightened by the pace of activity surrounding them; by women and children, desperate to escape violent and destructive domestic situations; by young people, cast off by families who can’t cope or don’t care.¹²⁷

On Census night 2001, there were an estimated 33 557 people living in homeless conditions in NSW. These people included men, women, young people and children living temporarily with family and friends, in boarding houses, in caravan parks, in SAAP accommodation and on the street. Approximately half of these people were living in the Greater Sydney area. Only 14% of the homeless in NSW were living in the city core of Sydney. A further 13% were living in the Inner City Ring (see Table 3.4).

Excluding marginal caravan park residents, 43% of the homeless in NSW are under the age of 25 years. This includes young people who are homeless as part of a family group and young people who are homeless alone. Among the younger groups of homeless people, there are equal proportions of young men and women. However, the proportion of homeless men in each age category increases with age. Also represented in the homeless population are Indigenous Australians, families, people who have left prison or state care, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, refugees and a relatively high proportion of people living with mental illnesses, alcohol and other drug abuse issues and histories of trauma and abuse. Overwhelmingly, homeless people are very poor, usually unemployed and may struggle to maintain an income. It is difficult to separate legal issues from these other complex needs and issues.

While acknowledging the considerable structural factors that impact on homelessness, including diminishing available accommodation and employment, we have not sought to identify a ‘cause’ of homelessness. Rather, following the lead of Chamberlain and Mackenzie, we have acknowledged common ‘pathways’ into homeless. These recognise the impact of family breakdown and domestic violence, along with poverty-related ‘housing crisis, as a pathway to homelessness.’ The loss of connection with family in particular is a key factor in youth homelessness. It is in the context of these pathways that we can begin to discuss the legal needs of homeless people in NSW.