Mission Australia is urging the federal government to take immediate action following a new report highlighting a rise in Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The national Christian charity responded to the "2025 Report on Government Services - Housing and Homelessness," released on Jan. 20, with a public statement emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
The report reveals that nearly 42% of low-income renters—two in five—are experiencing rental stress, placing them at risk of homelessness during the 2023-2024 reporting period, despite Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
Additionally, 50,000 Australians who need crisis or long-term accommodation were unable to receive support from homelessness services due to the ongoing housing crisis, according to the report. Mission Australia attributes the shortfall in support to the housing emergency.
Households on social housing waiting lists have reached 223,959, with 109,462 classified as being in greatest need on the priority waitlist—a 3% increase.
"This report confirms what we’ve been warning: rising rental stress, a dysfunctional housing system, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis are driving more people across Australia into homelessness, including those in paid work, with many being pushed into homelessness for the first time,” said Sharon Callister, CEO of Mission Australia.
“The staggering lack of affordable housing options is overwhelming the system, leaving more people without a safe, secure place to call home.”
Callister called on the federal government to raise the maximum threshold for Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 60% and review rental subsidies to prevent families from falling into homelessness. Mission Australia estimates that increasing JobSeeker and other income support payments by at least 82 Australian dollars ($51 USD) per day would help struggling individuals remain housed.
“The demand for homelessness and housing services is rising rapidly—Mission Australia’s services saw a 26% increase in demand over three years,” Callister added.
“We want to end homelessness in Australia, but our staff are facing unprecedented challenges securing accommodation for people and families in need because there simply isn’t enough housing that is affordable to go around.
“As we approach the March Federal Budget, we call on the government to deliver a National Housing and Homelessness Plan that prioritizes prevention and long-term solutions. We need a $500 million Homelessness Prevention Transformation Fund to help people before they reach crisis point and a commitment to building one million new social and affordable homes over the next 20 years.”
While current government social housing commitments are welcome, they remain insufficient, Callister said.
“Right now, about 640,000 households need affordable housing but can’t access it,” she said. “If we don't build significantly more social and affordable homes, that number could rise to around a million in 20 years.
"Australia is in the grips of a housing and homelessness emergency. Immediate, collaborative action is needed, driven by targeted investment and bold leadership.”
