Australia’s latest analysis shows a growing crisis where women and girls seek homelessness services while dealing with family violence and mental health issues, with nearly 30,000 in 2024-25 and about 12,000 still homeless when support ends, a 14% rise over two years.

Historical data indicate women and children experiencing domestic violence are the largest users of specialist homelessness services, with over 100,000 seeking help annually and around 12,000 missing out on short-term accommodation.

Two-thirds of those receiving homelessness support while facing mental health challenges are women, and nearly half are aged 25–44, highlighting the gendered dimensions of the crisis.

Policy context shows the government committing $100 million toward crisis, transitional, and youth housing as part of the broader $1 billion Housing Australia Future Fund aimed at delivering 55,000 social and affordable homes by mid-2029, though targets remain challenging.

Policy framing emphasizes coupling housing with mental health and violence services, in line with ongoing development of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement and a violence against women action plan.

Greens advocate for about $4 billion to expand social housing for women escaping violence and to fund integrated crisis accommodation, housing services, family violence services, and mental health support.

Case study Brina illustrates lived experience, tracing cycles of homelessness from age 14, exposure to violence, encounters with prison and mental health systems, and eventual access to supportive housing that brought stability and sobriety for her family.

Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, describes this as the contemporary face of homelessness—many women trapped in a doom loop without adequate housing or ongoing support.

About 80% of these women are under 45, indicating a concentration of risk among younger women and girls.

New analysis from Homelessness Australia shows a 6% rise in women and girls seeking help while experiencing family violence and mental health issues between 2022-23 and 2024-25, signaling a deepening crisis.