More than 1,600 Australians pushed into homelessness each month as housing crisis deepens, report finds

Homelessness Australia says demand for their services rose 7.5% between December and March due to rising rents and low housing availability. Stock image. Photograph: BeyondImages/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The housing crisis and rising financial stress are pushing more than 1,600 people into homelessness each month as demand for sheltering services soars, a report has found.

Homelessness Australia said between December and March demand for homelessness services rose 7.5% across Australia amid soaring rents and record low vacancy rates. In total, an extra 6,658 people sought help.