Rate of homelessness in Australia up by 8 percent in 5 years

The rate of homelessness in Australia rose by 8 percent in the five years to 2011, according to the new census figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Monday. According to the figures released by ABS today, there were 49 homeless people for every 10,000 persons, up from 45 per 10,000 in 2006. 105,237 people were homeless on August 9, 2011 -- when the census was conducted -- accounting for 0.5 percent of the population. The number of homeless people rose 17 percent over the five years, partly reflecting growth in the general population, the ABS said. "At the time of the 2011 Census 60 percent of homeless people were aged under 35 years, compared to 46 percent for the general population. Many of the thousands of Australians sleeping rough are younger than 18. They need a roof over their heads and they need hope for the future," Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said in a statement.