"Australia is experiencing a critical lack of affordable housing. Demand for public housing is estimated to rise by 28% or about 93,000 houses by 2023." (Homelessness Australia, 2014). It is said to be that there are more than 600,000 families and single people who are drowning in housing stress in private rental markets. This situation had compounded poverty for low income earners, leaving a lot more people vulnerable to becoming homeless. The lack of affordable housing has led to high rent burdens (rents which absorb a high proportion of income), overcrowding, and substandard housing. These singularities, in turn have not only forced many people to become homeless; they have put a large and growing number of people at risk of becoming homeless. Intertwined with lack of affordable housing, mental and physical illness follows closely behind. .
Physical and mental illness are significant causes of homelessness. If an individual has good medical insurance it's not guaranteed to cover the person for medical care or treatment. "Hospitalization quickly consumes savings." (Kylyssa Shay, 2014) . After an individual has an immense gap in his or her employment history and a bad score due to unpaid bills resulting from illness or injury, it becomes quite difficult for him or her to get job again even after the person has fully recovered. While many people have a strong family and friend support many do not and they are unfortunately the ones who fall through the gap. Similarly, people with mental illness often "Lack family support which is a major issue for people with disorders such as autism or other medical or emotional issues which makes interpersonal relationships difficult" (Kylyssa Shay, 2014) After an individual with a mental illness becomes an adult they do not get a lot of support from friends or family. The result of being neglected after turning 21 onwards is that they are "independent adults" that's how the public thinks but that is not the case they cannot fend for themselves.
