After bikers roared into Parramatta mall on Sunday in support of National Homeless Persons Week, Anglicare has said stereotypes of homelessness are not fitting the reality.
More often than not, the stereotypical image of homeless men with mental health or substance abuse issues doesn't fit the reality of those who come to community care organisations looking for help.
According to Parramatta Street Outreach coordinator Stan Small, just because they're young, carry a backpack and have shoes on their feet doesn't mean they'll have a bed to sleep in this winter.
"Most of the time you wouldn't be aware of the young people who are in need of safe and secure accommodation," said Stan.
"Many have temporary access to accommodation and find themselves couch surfing from one place to another. Many, especially young women, would find accommodation with people they may not feel safe around, just to avoid sleeping on the streets."
According to Anglicare homelessness is also experienced by a significant number of families, women and children.
Accepted estimates indicate 100,000 Australians are without secure and sustainable accommodation on any given night. Last year approximately 187,900 people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, received some form of assistance from the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP). Of the 187,900 more than 69,000 were children.
An analysis of unmet demand for Anglicare's Early Interventions program for young pregnant or parenting women shows 10 per cent of them had been SAAP accommodated the night before and almost 17 per cent were staying with friends or relatives. A further 11.6 per cent said they had relatively stable accommodation but were at risk of eviction and a concerning small minority were sleeping rough.
Calling for a nationally accepted definition of homelessness that incorporates those in transient accommodation, Stan says it takes more than a roof over head to tackle homelessness.
"We believe with the right environmental factors and support we can see massive changes in the individual. More than short term solutions to immediate needs, we should be looking to empower the young person over time through a coordinated case management approach."
