Homelessness and the right to life

Abstract

Despite various inquires and policy reviews there remains a lack of political momentum to address homelessness and its health and social burden. Rates of homelessness continue to rise in Australia. Over 290,500 Australians sought assistance from specialist homeless services (SHS) in 2019-20, and this does not include the unknown number of homeless people who did not access SHS over this period. There is good evidence that homelessness has devastating effects on health and well-being, including premature death. Perhaps no group faces greater health disadvantage than the homeless.