Jump in homelessness as Australia’s rental crisis pushes ‘overwhelmed system to breaking point’

The latest Australian Homelessness Monitor found the number of people seeking homelessness services because they couldn’t afford rent rose 27% over the past four years. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

When Brooke escaped domestic violence in 2020, she didn’t expect her biggest problem would be finding secure housing for her and her three children.

Brooke has worked in disability and aged care for almost a decade, and never previously had a problem with rental security. But for two years she’s been in crisis accommodation in Melbourne, facing knock-back after knock-back for a permanent home.