Image from Anthro Magazine
By Denis Hay
Homelessness is a social justice issue rooted in inequality. Learn how systemic failures in Australia create homelessness and how we can solve it.
Homelessness in Australia is often misunderstood as an individual failure, but in reality, it is a systemic crisis caused by economic inequality, policy failures, and corporate-driven housing markets. Despite Australia’s wealth, over 122,494 people were homeless in 2021, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
This article explores homelessness as a social justice issue, highlighting its root causes, how policy choices contribute to it, and how we can create long-term solutions using Australia’s monetary sovereignty.
• Skyrocketing Housing Costs: Property investors, negative gearing, and rent inflation have made housing unaffordable for many Australians. The median rent in capital cities has risen by over 30% in three years.
• Wage Stagnation: While property prices rise, wages have failed to keep pace, pushing low-income workers and even middle-class families into housing insecurity.
• Financialisation of Housing: Housing is treated as an investment asset rather than a human right, leading to speculation and artificially inflated prices.
• Underfunding Public Housing: Australia’s stock of public housing is shrinking rather than growing, with governments preferring to subsidise private landlords rather than invest in permanent housing solutions.
• Inadequate Social Welfare: The JobSeeker allowance remains well below the poverty line, making it impossible for unemployed individuals to afford rent.
• Tax Policies that Benefit the Wealthy: Negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions make housing a tool for wealth accumulation rather than shelter.
• Casual and Gig Economy Jobs: More Australians are in precarious work, making it harder to secure long-term housing.
• Decline in Union Power: The erosion of workers’ rights has weakened job stability and wage growth, pushing more people into poverty.
• Corporate Profit Over Workers: Major corporations continue to benefit from wage suppression while rental and living costs soar.
• UN Declaration on Human Rights: Australia has ratified international treaties recognising housing as a fundamental right, yet our government continues to fail in meeting this obligation.
• Housing First Approach: Countries like Finland have successfully reduced homelessness by treating housing as a public good rather than a commodity.
• Fining the Homeless: Local councils have introduced fines for sleeping rough, effectively punishing people for being homeless.
• Hostile Architecture: Public spaces are designed to deter homeless individuals from seeking shelter, reflecting a society that marginalises rather than helps the vulnerable.
• Indigenous Australians: Indigenous people are overrepresented in homelessness statistics due to historical injustices and systemic racism.
• Women and Children: Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women, yet funding for women’s shelters remains inadequate.
• LGBTQ+ Youth: Young LGBTQ+ individuals face higher rates of homelessness due to family rejection and social stigma.
• Strain on Healthcare: Homeless individuals have higher rates of chronic illness, costing the healthcare system millions.
• Increased Policing Costs: Criminalising homelessness does not solve the issue but increases policing and judicial expenses.
• Lost Economic Potential: Keeping people homeless prevents them from working, contributing to the economy, or improving their circumstances.
• Government-Funded Public Housing: As a social justice issue, the government must invest in fully funded, publicly owned housing rather than subsidising private developers.
• Rent Controls and Housing Regulation: Implement rent caps and regulate landlords to prevent rent gouging.
• Raise JobSeeker Above the Poverty Line: No person should be homeless because social welfare payments are too low.
• Enforce Fair Wages and Secure Jobs: Stronger labour laws can prevent job insecurity and ensure that wages keep up with inflation.
• Mental Health and Addiction Services: Many experiencing homelessness struggle with mental health or addiction, requiring better-funded support programs.
• Wraparound Services: Providing housing, healthcare, and employment support together leads to long-term stability.
Homelessness is a social justice issue and is a direct result of government policy choices, corporate-driven economic inequality, and a failure to recognise housing as a human right. Addressing this issue requires political will, investment in public housing, and an economic model that prioritises people over profit.
What steps can Australia take to guarantee housing as a fundamental right rather than a privilege?
Do you see opportunities for community-driven change in Australia’s dollar sovereignty?
If you found this article insightful, explore more about political reform and Australia’s monetary sovereignty on Social Justice Australia.
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Q1: Why is homelessness considered a social justice issue?
A: Because it stems from economic inequality, policy failures, and systemic discrimination rather than individual failings.
Q2: What is the most effective way to end homelessness?
A: A Housing First policy, which prioritises permanent housing and wraparound social services.
Q3: How does Australia compare to other countries in tackling homelessness?
A: Countries like Finland have nearly eradicated homelessness through strong public housing investments, while Australia lags due to neoliberal policies.
This article was originally published on Social Justice Australia.
Also by Denis Hay: How Do You Explain Neoliberalism in Australia?
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View Comments
There is a lack of willingness to assess current housing stock and find ways to use them more effectively for housing. The last census and the one previous to it both showed 10% of housing was unoccupied. Furthermore there is a substantial number of large homes which are occupied by one person.
In my town there is a derelict motel which could easily become bed-sit accommodation for singles. And an empty boarding school owned by an industrial company which could also be refurbished as hostel accommodation.
A few things stand in the way. Firstly private property rights which allow owners to do what they like with property including let it fall down.
The tax system / social security system which prevents pensioners from leasing out part of their house.
Inertia in social housing which does not seem able to do anything new and different, although it would be the ideal agency to provide oversight in many house sharing possibilities
Finland homeless startup was $290m aust spent $6.3b in 22/23. So our situation is huge in comparison?
Finland is one country we have 9 housing ministers, 9 education ministers and 9 political leaders.
To the pollies the homeless are not visible
The question:
Where has the money gone? Not to the homeless.
Lyndal:
Thank you for your insightful comment. You raise critical points about how existing housing stock is underutilised and the systemic barriers preventing practical solutions to homelessness.
The 10% vacancy rate from the last two censuses is a stark reminder that Australia’s housing crisis isn’t solely about a lack of homes—it’s about how housing is controlled, distributed, and incentivised. Many properties sit empty due to speculative investment, tax advantages, or bureaucratic hurdles that discourage repurposing buildings for affordable housing.
Your examples of an unused motel and an empty boarding school highlight a missed opportunity. Similar properties have been successfully converted into low-cost housing in countries like Finland under government-backed programs. Private property rights allow owners to let buildings deteriorate while people sleep on the streets, underscored by how policy prioritises wealth accumulation over human needs.
Another major flaw is the tax and social security disincentives preventing pensioners from renting out part of their homes. Reforming these rules could unlock thousands of affordable housing opportunities, particularly for low-income individuals and older Australians living alone in large houses.
You’re right that social housing agencies should lead innovation, yet bureaucratic inertia often keeps them from adapting. Solutions like community-led housing cooperatives, tax reforms, and vacancy taxes could encourage better use of existing stock. But without political will and public pressure, these changes will remain stalled.
What policies could best encourage the efficient use of unoccupied housing?
Wam: Thank you for your comment. You’ve highlighted a critical issue: Australia is spending billions on housing and homelessness, yet the crisis is worsening. The comparison with Finland is particularly revealing.
Finland successfully reduced homelessness by investing $290 million, focusing on publicly owned, permanent housing as a human right. In contrast, Australia spent $6.3 billion in 2022-23, yet homelessness continues to rise. The key difference? Where the money is going.
Australia’s housing policies heavily favour private developers, landlords, and investors rather than directly funding public and social housing. Government spending is often funnelled into rental assistance, tax incentives for investors (negative gearing), and short-term crisis accommodation rather than permanent solutions. Meanwhile, nine separate housing ministers, nine education ministers, and nine political leaders create a fragmented, inefficient system with no cohesive national strategy.
The core issue is political priorities—homelessness remains invisible to politicians because the current system benefits those with power and wealth. We should all be asking why public money isn’t being used to build publicly owned housing.