澳大利亚将于8月11日进行强制性人口普查，此次普查特别关注无家可归人群的统计。[1]根据2021年普查数据，澳大利亚共有超过12.2万人无家可归，其中男性占55.9%，女性占44.1%，约23%的无家可归者年龄在12至24岁之间。[1]
为确保无家可归者能被准确计数，澳大利亚统计局采取了多项措施。[1]无家可归者在填写地址问题时可选择填写"NONE"或选择"Elsewhere in Australia"选项。[1]同时，普查员将派遣到社区、提供纸质表单和在线支持，以便这一脆弱群体能够参与普查。[1]
NSW住房和无家可归部长Rose Jackson指出："知道有多少人无家可归，他们在哪里，他们的人口统计数据——这对政府至关重要。"[1]Mission Australia首席执行官Sharon Callister表示，上次普查发现超过12.2万人无家可归，"我们知道从我们今天的服务来看，这个数字今年会更高"。[1]尽管澳大利亚统计局做了充分准备，但准确统计无家可归人群仍面临挑战。[1]
Australia's mandatory national census, scheduled for August 11, 2024, aims to include homeless populations despite the logistical complexities of counting this vulnerable group [1]. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has implemented special measures to ensure homeless people are not left out of the count, including deploying census workers to community locations and providing paper forms alongside online support options [1].
Data from the 2021 census identified over 122,000 homeless people in Australia, with men comprising 55.9 percent and women 44.1 percent of the homeless population [1]. Approximately 23 percent of homeless individuals were aged between 12 and 24 years [1]. Officials anticipate the current figures will be higher. NSW Housing and Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson emphasized the importance of accurate data, stating: "Knowing how many people are homeless, where they are, their demographic data—that's crucial for government" [1]. Sharon Callister, Chief Executive of Mission Australia, echoed this concern, noting: "Last census we had over 122,000 people homeless. We know from our services today that this number will be higher this year" [1].
To ensure proper enumeration, homeless respondents have been instructed to enter "NONE" in the address field or select "Elsewhere in Australia" on their census forms [1].