1. Homelessness NSW The dynamics of homelessness: establishing the links between pathways into homeless and duration Guy Johnson Post Doctoral Research Fellow AHURI, RMIT University [email_address]

13. RMIT University Slide Table 1: Selected findings, duration (N=4,291) Duration Pathway Housing crisis Family breakdown Mental Illness Substance abuse Youth Duration > 1 yr (%) 31 36 76 72 80

14. Substance abuse RMIT University Slide I was more frightened in there than when I was on the streets. I was trembling because there were all these big dudes … There was nothing I could talk to them about apart from drugs. The only thing we had in common was heroin (Palik). We found, however, that 43 per cent of the sample had substance abuse problems. TWO THIRDS developed problems AFTER they became homeless. Young people were far more likely to develop substance abuse problems after they became homeless than any other group. Johnson, G. and C. Chamberlain (2008). "Homelessness and Substance Abuse: Which Comes First?" Australian Social Work 61 (4): 342-356 . Table 2: Substance abuse identified or not identified before homelessness N Per cent Substance abuse problems identified 656 15 Not identified 3,635 85 TOTAL 4,291 100 Table 3: Substance abuse identified before or after homelessness N Per cent Substance abuse problems before homelessness 656 34 Substance abuse problems after homelessness 1,284 66 TOTAL 1,940 100

15. Mental illness 31 per cent of the sample had mental health problems. And just over half developed problems AFTER they became homeless. Young people were far more likely to develop mental health problems after they became homeless than any other group. Johnson, G. and C. Chamberlain “Are the homeless mentally ill? Forthcoming . Table 5: Mental illness identified before or after homelessness N Per cent Mental health problems before homelessness 634 47 Mental health problems after homelessness 703 53 TOTAL 1,337 100 Table 4: Mental illness identified or not identified before homelessness N Per cent Mental health problems identified 634 15 Not identified 3,657 85 TOTAL 4,291 100

16. State care and protection RMIT University 63% 29% Johnson, G. and C. Chamberlain (2008). "From Youth to Adult Homelessness." Australian Journal of Social issues 43 (4): 563-582. Table 7: Number in state care and protection, selected group (per cent) Youth aged 10 – 17* Homeless secondary students** Homeless adults and young adults^ State care and protection 0.5 15 42 * Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2006:34); ** Source: Chamberlain and Mackenzie (2007:16); ^ Information on 72 per cent of cases Table 8: Age first homeless (adults and young adult) by experience of state care (per cent) Age Been in state care (N=507) No state care (N=712) All (N=1,219^) 11 or younger 20 3 10 12 to 14 43 26 33 15 to 17 33 59 48 18 4 12 9 TOTAL 100 100 100 ^ Information on 72 per cent of cases