A landmark report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has revealed there were around nine potentially avoidable deaths per day in 2022-23 among people with a history of getting specialist homelessness support.
The analysis released by the AIHW has, for the first time, examined death rates and characteristics of people with a history of homelessness support services who have died.
It found throughout 2012-13 to 2022-23, around 43,200 people with a history of SHS support died, with a median age at death of 55 years old; 28 years younger than Australia's average life expectancy of 83.
Disturbingly, more than half of the deaths that occurred in 2022-23 were potentially avoidable (deaths from conditions that could have been prevented or treated with timely and effective health care). Potentially avoidable deaths among people in 2022-23 accounted for around 1 in 8 potentially avoidable deaths nationally.
The leading causes of death for people with a history of SHS support included accidental poisoning, or overdosing, coronary heart disease and suicide.
In a decade, more than 8,500 people with a history of SHS support died by suicide or overdose, which is more than 16 people per week.
"This is startling evidence of the deadly impact of homelessness, and the failure of governments to deliver the health services, homelessness support and housing people need to escape homelessness and recover their health. Vulnerable people are needlessly dying in our wealthy country," Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said.
Separate analysis released by the AIHW today revealed accidental poisoning, or overdose, and suicide were the leading cause of death for people who received specialist homelessness service support in the last year of their life, accounting for around one-quarter to one-third of all deaths each year.
Among the 14,000 who died in the decade 2012–13 to 2022–23 and who had received homelessness support in the last year of their life, about 25% were aged between 45-54, and around 6.2% were children and young people under the age of 25. The largest cohort of women who died (11%) were aged 25-34, and the next highest proportion of females were aged 15-24.
"These statistics are harrowing. Every one of these deaths is a person with hopes and dreams in life whose life has been cut short. People are dying because they have suffered trauma, often including violence, and they can't get the housing, homelessness support or health support they need. People face further risks of violence and trauma while they are homeless, destroying their mental wellbeing.
"The devastating impact of homelessness on mental wellbeing has been well documented. Numerous reviews including the 2023 NDIS Review, the 2023 Disability Royal Commission and the 2020 Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health have confirmed the harm caused by failures to provide housing and support for people with mental illness and psychosocial disability, and called for health and housing systems to work together.
"The upcoming NDIS negotiations between the states and territories around foundational supports for people with psychosocial disability are an opportunity to deliver life saving change.
"The most critical change needed is the creation of housing integrated with mental health care and support so people can escape homelessness and recover their health and wellbeing. This housing combined with support is called 'Housing First' and is considered best practice worldwide to support people with psychosocial disability to escape homelessness. In many countries Housing First programs are funded primarily as a health intervention.
"Nine preventable deaths per day should shake our leaders into action. We need Governments to give the attention needed to stop nine preventable deaths a day as a result of homelessness," Kate Colvin said.
