Why more older Australians are choosing the streets over home

In the heart of Sydney's CBD, beneath towering office blocks, a small group of men had built an unexpected community.

The streets were their home, but not out of necessity.

They claimed to have chosen this life—and in doing so, challenged every assumption about what it meant to be homeless.

For David, a 52-year-old former civil construction worker from New Zealand, Sydney's pavements had been home for five years.

The encampment, only six months old, had become a tightly knit neighbourhood, complete with improvised shelters and house rules.

Residents insisted it remained strictly male-only, arguing that women brought 'drama' to their carefully managed community.

Charles, who declined to be photographed, had created the camp's most remarkable dwelling—a 'cube hut' made from stacked bread crates, decorated with Chinese lanterns, blankets, and pillows.

It was a striking example of how comfort and dignity could be carved out even in the harshest conditions.

The men were open about their drug use and philosophical approach to homelessness.

Some admitted they preferred spending their money on substances rather than rent.

'I spend it on what I actually want,' one man said candidly.

Yet beneath their bravado, familiar struggles were evident.

David’s path to the streets began when COVID-19 halted his construction career.

Jack, another long-term resident, spoke of a broken relationship, with his partner and child living in North Sydney while he remained on the streets.

The camp functioned with a loose support system—the nearby convenience store allowed device charging, and The Station drop-in centre provided meals, showers, and laundry services.

According to David, local authorities had been 'respectful', occasionally asking them to 'condense things' but largely leaving them alone.

David and his companions represented voluntary homelessness, but they were part of a much larger national crisis.

Housing affordability stress had increased by 36 per cent in the three years to 2023-24.

One in seven people experiencing homelessness were over 55 years old, with the fastest-growing cohorts aged 55-64 (up 15 per cent) and 65+ (up 31 per cent).

Median rents had surged 51 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic, while the proportion of employed people accessing homelessness services rose from 10.9 per cent to 15.3 per cent between 2018 and 2023.

'Homelessness is no longer confined to the most vulnerable. With the housing crisis forcing working families into homelessness, this should be a wake-up call for action,' said Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin.

Despite claiming choice, the York Street residents faced the same challenges as other rough sleepers—poor nutrition, dental issues, mental health conditions, and barriers to healthcare.

Their camp highlighted the lack of privacy and basic amenities most Australians take for granted.

The Station drop-in centre represented one of thousands of specialist homelessness services across Australia.

In 2023-24, about 280,000 clients were assisted, with 80.9 per cent of clients at risk of homelessness successfully avoiding it.

Services ranged from emergency accommodation to job training, proving that homelessness could be temporary.

However, around 14,700 clients returned to homelessness after a period of secure housing in 2022-23, highlighting ongoing systemic challenges.

The York Street camp challenged assumptions about homelessness but also revealed deeper issues—trauma, relationship breakdowns, job losses, and substance dependency.

Their 'neighbourhood' was a testament to resilience and a reminder of systemic failures.

Nearly a third of Australians earning under $100,000 were concerned about becoming homeless within 12 months, making these men’s stories more relatable than many would like to admit.

For now, the unconventional community remained in Sydney's heart—a daily reminder of the housing crisis affecting all Australians and proof that people could still create connection and meaning in adversity.

What are communities willing to do to ensure that everyone, regardless of age or circumstance, has a safe place to call home?