Homelessness getting worse in Australia, census data shows

The number of homeless people in Australia jumped by more than 14,000 — or 14 per cent — in the five years to 2016, according to census data which also reveals a "significant" increase in older women on the streets and a growing group living in overcrowded accommodation. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said 116,000 people were homeless on census night in 2016, representing 50 homeless people per 10,000. The facts on homelessness: Tonight 116,427 will be homeless That's a 14 per cent increase in homelessness over 5 years Every day, 250 people are turned away from crisis centres across the country Homelessness increased in NSW, VIC and QLD There was a slight decline in the NT Homeless people include those sleeping on the streets, in cars, at crisis centres and in overcrowded accommodation. Paul Jelfs from the ABS said the number of women over 65 who had become homeless in the five years to the 2016 census was significant.