It is estimated that about 187,900 people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, received some form of assistance from the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) during 2006-07, according to a report released recently by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report is the Series 12 annual report of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) National Data Collection.  It provides an overview of assistance given to clients and their children by the Program in 2006-07. SAAP provides transitional supported accommodation and related support services to help homeless people - including women and children escaping domestic violence - achieve the maximum possible degree of self-reliance and independence.

The figures included in the report indicate that (among other things):

• 187,900 people experiencing homelessness sought help from homelessness services in 2006-2007.
• Most clients had a case management plan in place before the end of their support, and, in 93% of these, all or most of the client's goals were achieved by the end of their support.
• More than 69,000 children used a homelessness service, or a ratio of 1 out of every 42 children in Australia.
• Domestic violence was the single largest cause of homelessness.
• Indigenous Australians make up 2% of the general population, but 18% of SAAP clients.

To download the report visit http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10523.

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