Australia

The Big Issue Australia

An initiative of The Big Issue Australia, Community Street Soccer operates in 18 locations throughout the country, covering all states and territories.

This project is a fun and exciting initiative of The Big Issue that uses the power of sport to change lives.

Community Street Soccer promote social inclusion and personal change for participants by providing support and promoting participation, inclusiveness, commitment, and team spirit.

Organisation Details

Participants

Homeless, marginalised, and disadvantaged men and women

Locations

18 locations covering all Australian states, and two correctional facilities in Victoria

Homelessness Statistics

13.2%

of the population live below the poverty line.

13.7%

increase in homelessness between 2011 and 2016

17.3%

of children live in poverty

Poverty in Australia, 2018 found that there are over 3 million people (13.2%) living below the poverty line – including 739,000 children (17.3%).

According to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI, 2016), homeless figures went from 102,439 in 2011 to 116,427 in 2016 – an increase of 13.7%

This included 17,845 children under 10, with 402 children sleeping rough (Homelessness Australia, 2017).

The biggest increase in homelessness was seen in the 25-34 age group, with an additional 5,813 people affected. This represents a 31.6% increase.

Younger Australians – aged 18 and younger – experiencing homelessness represent 22.2% of all those who are homeless, the figure being 25,827 as of 2016.

The biggest percentage increase was among the elderly. There was a 37.9% increase for those aged 65–74, which equates to 1,554 more people being homeless (AHURI, 2018).