Australian Bureau of Statistics revises 2001 and 2006 estimates of homelessness

On September 11, the Australian Bureau of Statistics issued revised estimates of the levels of homelessness based on 2001 and 2006 census data: 95,314 homeless people in Australia in 2001, and 89,728 homeless people in Australia in 2006. The ABS has stated that the decline in the number of people living in boarding houses drove the overall decline in homelessness between 2001 and 2006. The ABS has stated the some key population groups — young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people fleeing domestic and/or family violence — are underestimated in estimates of homelessness using census data. The estimates of homelessness based on the 2011 census data will be released in November 2012. See the ABS report on estimating homelessness for 2001 and 2006.