Risk of homelessness

A person is at risk of homelessness if they are at risk of losing their accommodation.

A person may be at risk of homelessness if they are experiencing one or more of a range of factors or triggers that can contribute to homelessness.

Risk factors include:

• Financial stress (including due to loss of income, low income, gambling, change of family circumstances).
• Housing affordability stress and housing crises (pending evictions/foreclosures, rental and/or mortgage arrears).
• Inadequate or inappropriate dwelling conditions, including accommodation which is unsafe, unsuitable or overcrowded.
• Previous accommodation ended.
• Relationship/family breakdown.
• Child abuse, neglect or environments where children are at risk.
• Sexual abuse.
• Domestic/family violence.
• Non-family violence.
• Mental health issues and other health problems.
• Problematic alcohol, drug or substance use.
• Employment difficulties and unemployment.
• Problematic gambling.
• Transitions from custodial and care arrangements, including out of home care, independent living arrangements for children aged under 18, health and mental health facilities/programs, juvenile/youth justice and correctional facilities.
• Discrimination including racial discrimination (e.g. Aboriginal people in the urban rental market).
• Disengagement with school or other education and training.
• Involvement in or exposure to criminal activities.
• Antisocial behaviour.
• Lack of family and/or community support.
• Staying in a boarding house for 12 weeks or more without security of tenure.