Homelessness is defined under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program Act 1994 as occurring when a person has inadequate access to safe and secure housing.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says homelessness is a complex issue resulting from a variety of factors.
These include poverty, unemployment and an inadequate supply of affordable housing.
Personal circumstances such as discrimination, poor physical or mental health, intellectual disability, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, family and relationship breakdown, domestic violence, and physical and sexual abuse may increase a person's risk of becoming or remaining homeless.
One in every 200 Australians are homeless which translates to about 100,000 people being homeless each night.
Half of all people who are homeless are aged under 25.
One in every 57 girls aged from 15 to 19 used a homeless service last year.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders comprise about 2 per cent of the population but make up one in every 11 of the homeless of any given night.
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) is the major government response to homelessness.
Homelessness Australia is the national peak body working to prevent and respond to homelessness in Australia.
For more information visit www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au