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Australia confronts a homelessness crisis as living costs surge

There's been a huge drop in donations to homeless support services and it's now becoming a matter of life or death.

Jun 15, 2022

Inflation, high interest rates and surging food and power costs are putting increasing pressure on households already living payday to payday. Coupled with a rental crisis and a drop in donations to charities, this means many Australians face sleeping on the streets -- a potentially lethal outcome as temperatures plummet.

Homelessness services say they’re receiving just a fraction of the donations collected pre-COVID, as more and more people unable to find affordable housing ask for help.

With inflation expected to hit 7% this year, it's no wonder many Australians are struggling. But not everyone is. The number of Australian millionaires surged by 31% last year, and Australian billionaires doubled their collective wealth during the pandemic.

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About the Author

Amber Schultz

Associate Editor @AmberMaySchultz

Amber covers health and social affairs for Crikey. She has been shortlisted for two Young Walkley Awards, was the 2021 Mumbrella Young Writer of the Year for her coverage of sexual violence, and in 2018 completed the Jacoby-Walkley scholarship. She holds two Master degrees and previously worked for The Age, Nine News and ABC's Tonightly.