Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) are receiving on average 350 requests for help each day that they can't meet.
SHS are buckling under the pressure of the worsening housing crisis and epidemic of violence against women, and having to turn people at risk of homelessness away.
Women and children made up over 7 in 10 requests for SHS help, with people who had experienced domestic and family violence the largest cohort seeking help - 40 per cent of all SHS clients.
First Nations women, older women, women of colour and women with disabilities are on the very front line of this crisis.
Leaving a violent relationship requires secure housing, and violence against women can not be stopped without addressing the housing crisis.
As stated by Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters:
"The National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children recognises the growing intersection between violence and housing insecurity. The Albanese Labor government continues to fail women by fiddling at the edges of the housing crisis.
"By refusing to fully fund frontline services the government is forcing SHS workers to ask 'who is most in danger?' when prioritising where their help goes. No woman or child seeking help should be turned away.
"Labor's inaction on the housing crisis is forcing women to choose between violence and homelessness.
"Cancelling just one nuclear submarine could see everyone fleeing violence able to be homed, and an end to homelessness for all.
"Labor can properly address the housing crisis but is shamefully choosing not to."
As stated by Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:
"Australia is in a housing crisis that is spiralling out of control.
"Homelessness in Australia is the worst in living memory, having increased by 10 percent since Labor was elected. We're seeing nine potentially avoidable deaths of homeless people on our streets every day which is unacceptable. We still don't have a national plan to end homelessness.
"If Labor can spend $181 billion on wealthy property investors, they can build homes and provide services for people sleeping rough. They can put a roof over the head of thousands of women and children escaping violence. This government needs to start treating housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly.
"Labor must address the root causes rather than turbocharge our housing and homelessness crises through minor interventions that make things worse.
"High rents, unaffordability in the private rental market, insufficient public housing stock, and the greed of property developers and investment housing are all causes of homelessness. Without tackling the structural drivers the crisis will only worsen.
"We can end homelessness in Australia - by building enough public housing, adequately funding homelessness services and the wrap-around supports we need to break the cycle of recurring homelessness. We can put a roof over everyone's heads, and limit rent increases to stop any more evictions into homelessness."
