Explain Why Are People Homeless In The Lucky Country

Why are people homeless in ‘The Lucky Country’? Discuss the factors that can contribute to youth homelessness in Australia.
A shameful question we ask of ourselves is ‘Why are people homeless in our ‘lucky’ country’? People assume homeless people are only homeless because they are substance abusers, for many that is not the case. In fact there are a staggering number of other factors that can cause people to leave their homes. Points such as the factors, the age of those that are on the streets and the safety will be brought up to better demonstrate why people are homeless. And perhaps after knowing these factors – there could be some solutions as well.
Firstly, there are a number of factors that tie or are a source for homelessness. Society assumes from what the media portray the homeless as – is what they actually are; drug- addled, aggressive beggars. Whereas about 70% of people in Australia are homeless for reasons that aren’t drug-related. (Homelessness Australia, 2016) An example of this is Hayley – who was a part of the documentary Oasis, at the tender age of 12 she was kicked out of home; due to her mother’s substance abuse and her mother’s partner physically abusing her. (The Oasis - A Shark Islands Production, …show more content…
Those who are homeless are not homeless because they are substance abusers but are those who have suffered for many different reasons. The age of our homeless community also puts into perspective why they have left their home and not why they are still on the streets, and the loss of safety and security that isn’t there due to violence at home – these are all contributors towards youth homelessness in Australia; becoming a growing