Community Development Perspective on Homelessness in Australia

This report provides an in-depth analysis of homelessness in Australia, identifying it as a significant social problem affecting vulnerable populations, particularly younger and older citizens. It explores the root causes of homelessness, including lack of affordable housing, poverty, domestic violence, and social difficulties. The report applies conflict theory to explain how capitalism and unequal resource distribution contribute to the issue. Furthermore, it proposes evidence-based solutions such as accessible accommodation, targeted support for elderly and younger individuals, employment opportunities, meal facilities, and increased social awareness. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for revised housing policies and collaborative efforts to address homelessness effectively and promote community development in Australia. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT

Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Main Body...................................................................................................................................................3
Social Problem of Homelessness in Australia.........................................................................................3
Conflict Theory Community Development in association with Homelessness........................................4
Appropriate direction for change and evidence based solutions..............................................................4
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................6

Introduction
Homelessness is defined as a situation or condition wherein an individual is unable to acquire a
stable residence or accommodation. The report encompasses the in-depth analyses of problems
relating to homelessness within the society of Australia. It also reflects upon the community
development theory in association with the situation of homelessness in the concerned country.
Along with this, the suitable change direction as well as appropriate measures and solutions to
overcome homelessness are also discussed within the report.
Main Body
Social Problem of Homelessness in Australia
Homelessness can be considered as one of the most concerning problems within the Australian
society. It can be defined as an issue that lays concern over the lack of accessibility by the
individuals to the safe and secure shelter. The inability of citizens to acquire a place of living is
likely to impact upon the society in an adverse manner (Batterham, 2020). The Australian
Bureau of Statistics suggested that are numerous factors which govern the increasing
homelessness in Australia. The primary reason can be sated as the unavailability of appropriate
accommodations in the country. In addition to that, poor finances, poverty, domestic violence,
social difficulties are also some of the causes that have accelerated the reported cases of
homelessness in Australia (Byrne Henwood and Orlando, 2021).
In Australia, homelessness has consequences resulting citizens surviving on streets. The concept
of couch surfing is also been elevated through the condition of homeless within the country
(Petersen, M., 2020). A majority of the individuals facing the concerns issue takes the support of
their cars, temporary stays etc. Furthermore, it has also been seen that individuals suffering from
the respective issue has started resorting to boarding houses as well as caravans in order to
sustain their living.
The Australian population disproportionately impacted by the issue of homelessness is as
follows:-

 The section of the society that received assistance from the Australian services in terms
of secure accommodation was reported to be the citizens belonging to the younger
generation. Approximately, 18% of the citizens who were entitled to be provided with the
services ranked below the age group of 25 years (Hand and MacKenzie, 2020).
 According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018 it can be examined that older
women in Australia are also impacted by the complexities surrounding the homelessness
in a severe manner.
Conflict Theory Community Development in association with Homelessness
The conflict theory is an elaborated theory of community development given by Karl Marx
highlights upon the ineffective distribution of constrained resources in the society. As per the
given theory, there is a highly aggressive competition among the social sectioned in order to
avail the particular resources available in the community (Ledwith, M., 2020).The application of
conflict theory in context to homelessness suggests that the prevailing capitalism and social
inadequacies within the Australian society are the reason for the budding concern of
homelessness in the nation. The capitalism lays emphasis over the focus of the individuals upon
the economic leverages. Also, the conflict theory states that the high degree of capitalism results
in the lowered revenue generation for the general citizen which ultimately results into lack of
affordability in respect to an adequate living standards (Rose, J., 2020). In context to Australia,
the conflict theory propounds the rights of the weaker section are oppressed which in turn leads
unfair and unjustified resource capitalization within the society. This further contributes to the
hiking up of homelessness within the respective country.
Appropriate direction for change and evidence based solutions
Homelessness is a serious challenge faced by the Australia. The respective issue also set
implication upon the society growth and development of the country in the coming run.
Therefore, it is necessary for determination and implementation of direction and solutions that
can support the homeless citizens within the country. In order to improve the homelessness in
Australia, following solutions can be taken into consideration in an effective manner:-
 The facilitation of accessible accommodation opportunities and services to the homeless
citizens can prove to be a great help for the same. The individuals who seem to be at the
verge of getting homeless can be provided with much needed assistance in order to be

able to sustain their existing place of living. Advance and appropriate help should be
provided to the homeless people to be able to find safe shelters.
 As per the “Australian Red Cross”, (2021), elderly citizen can be assisted by the housing
committees in order to avail the services regulated in the favor of the same. Also, the
elder citizens who lack sufficient finances can be provided with affordable housing
solutions in an appropriate manner.
 In order to reduce the cases of homelessness within the younger population can be
facilitated prominent platforms of employment, skill acquisition, life competencies etc.
The respective solution can help them to come out of their existing situation and aim for a
better and secure future.
 Proper meal facilities can be provided to homeless citizen in order to help them maintain
their health in an optimum manner. This can also further assist in decrease of disease
caused due to nutrition deficiency among the homeless individuals as well.
 Social awareness can also be optimized in order to educate people about the issues,
causes and impacts pertaining to homelessness and encourage them to support the social
cause and work towards the betterment of individuals combating the same (Spinney, et.al,
2020).
 Housing policies and procedures are required to be revised by the Australian officials so
as to lead the addition of new programs and recreation plans for the homeless in the
country. The concerned revision of existing housing policies and increased concentration
on serving much easier access to housing and accommodation is likely to decline the
emerging concern of homelessness in the nation.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that homelessness can be termed as a very
significant issue in the Australia. The young and elder populations are set to be most affected
through the respective social problem in Australia. As per the conflict theory, the emerging
capitalism and unequal distribution of resources can be blamed for the homelessness in the
country. Societal help and governmental support can said to be helpful in defeating the
respective issue of homelessness in a definite manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018. Census of population and housing: Estimating
homelessness, 2016.
Hand, T. and MacKenzie, D., 2020. Missing Out: Young people and social
housing. Parity, 33(7), pp.45-49.
Spinney, et.al, 2020. Ending homelessness in Australia: A redesigned homelessness service
system.
Batterham, D., 2020. Public Perceptions of Homelessness–A Literature Review.
Petersen, M., 2020. Rural ageing, housing and homelessness. In Rural Gerontology (pp. 129-
139). Routledge.
Byrne, T.H., Henwood, B.F. and Orlando, A.W., 2021. A rising tide drowns unstable boats: How
inequality creates homelessness. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social
Science, 693(1), pp.28-45.
Rose, J., 2020. Unsheltered homelessness and the right to metabolism: An urban political
ecology of health and sustainability. In Temporary Appropriation in Cities (pp. 147-156).
Springer, Cham.
Ledwith, M., 2020. Community development: A critical approach. Policy Press.
Online Reference
“Australian Red Cross”, (2021). Available Through: <
https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/community-services/homelessness-services >