Record number of Australians seek homelessness support
- Demand surges: Older Australians seeking homelessness support hit record levels
- Few vacancies: Wintringham says referrals continue to outstrip capacity
- Earlier access: New Aged Care Act opens support to homeless people from age 50
- Growing challenge: Over-65 homelessness has risen 86% in six years
It comes as little surprise that Melbourne-based Wintringham, which provides aged care for people experiencing homelessness, has few vacancies.
The number of Australians accessing Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) support was 17,321 in the month of March 2026, a 54% increase in six years and a record high.
The new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare also shows that of those people, 4,559 were over the age of 65 or an 86% increase over six years.
Of the 17,321:
- 54% (c. 9,400) were female
- 46% (8,000) were male
- 53% (9,200) were at risk of homelessness, and
- 42% (7,400) were experiencing homelessness.
Constant referrals
Wintringham, a Not For Profit aged care operator which specialises in support for older people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, receives a constant flow of referrals for its services.
“People who have experienced homelessness often experience accelerated ageing [developing age-related health conditions before the age of 65],” Wintringham CEO Janes Barnes told The Weekly SOURCE.
“We have very few vacancies in our homes,” she said.
Wintringham has eight aged care homes across Tasmania and Victoria.
New Act provides new path to aged care support for homeless
Under the new Aged Care Act, people aged 50 experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness can apply for aged care.
Under the former Aged Care Act, some disadvantaged groups could access aged care below the age of 65, but age thresholds were not defined.
What are SHS services?
SHS provide support to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Services range from short-term accommodation to applying for aged care, including residential aged care.
