Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Housing and the Minister for Homelessness provides the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1) The reduction in the number of people experiencing homelessness will be able to be assessed after the Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes its 2011 Census estimates of the homeless population in November 2012. The ABS will not be the only data the Government uses to determine levels of homelessness. The Government will also use the more dynamic and timely information collected from the specialist homelessness services by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, as well as Journeys Home, the first national longitudinal study of homelessness in Australia. Combined, these facts and figures will provide the most accurate picture of homelessness we have ever had.

(2) Homelessness is a complex and dynamic issue. A homeless person may have a number of issues that contribute to homelessness. The homeless person may be helped under one or more homelessness programs. The reduction in the number of people experiencing homelessness will be able to be assessed after the Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes its 2011 Census estimates of the homeless population in November 2012.