Walk through almost any town centre these days and you'll see it. People sleeping in doorways, on park benches, under bridges. What many of us don't realise is how many people experiencing homelessness are living with a disability, sometimes more than one, and have nowhere else to go.
Some have an intellectual disability. Some live with a psychosocial disability or mental illness, a brain injury or autism. Many have never had a proper diagnosis at all. And almost all of them are missing the one thing that could change their situation: the right support.
Why people with disability become homeless
For a lot of people, it starts at home. Caring for someone with a disability can be exhausting, especially when that person needs help around the clock. Families love them, but they can't always be there every hour of every day. Over time, some families become overwhelmed. Relationships break down, and some people are asked to leave or are cut off completely.
Others lose a parent or carer who was holding everything together. Some leave hospital, a group home or prison with no plan and no one waiting for them. Without income, housing or someone to help them manage, it doesn't take long before they're sleeping rough.
Homelessness and disability: what happens without support
Life on the street is dangerous, and it's even more dangerous when you have a disability. People sleeping rough are often targeted, taken advantage of and hurt. Many go without medication, proper meals or medical care, and their health gets worse quickly.
Without support, some people also end up in trouble with the law. When someone is unwell, frightened and trying to survive, situations can escalate. That affects everyone: the person themselves, the people around them and the wider community. And the longer someone stays on the street, the harder it becomes to find a way back.
We believe most of this can be prevented. The problem usually isn't the person. It's that no one has connected them to the help they're entitled to.
Can homeless people get the NDIS? Our approach
Many people experiencing homelessness may be eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and simply don't know it. Even if they do, applying for the NDIS with no fixed address, no phone, no regular GP and no one to help with the paperwork is almost impossible.
So we decided to do something about it. At Aimy Allied, we want to find these people, check whether they might be eligible, and help them apply. Our clinicians can complete the assessments and reports the NDIS needs, and we work with GPs, hospitals and other services to build a strong application.
If someone gets onto the NDIS, it can open the door to real, lasting support, such as help with daily living, access to therapy, support coordination and assistance finding somewhere safe to live. Not everyone will be eligible, but everyone deserves the chance to find out.
Working with homelessness services and the local community
We can't do this alone, and we don't want to. Homelessness isn't just one person's problem or one organisation's job. It affects whole neighbourhoods, and it takes a whole community to turn it around. That's why we're reaching out to the people, services and organisations around us to share what we're doing and invite them to be part of it.
Supporting a shared national goal
Reducing the number of people sleeping rough is a priority for the Australian Government, and for communities right across the country. Governments invest in housing, health and support services, but those services only work if people can actually reach them. Many people living on the streets fall through the gaps because no one has helped them take the first step.
That first step is where we can help. By identifying people who may be eligible for the NDIS and guiding them through the application, we help make sure the support that already exists reaches the people it was designed for. Every person who gets the right support is one less person struggling alone on the streets, and one more person with a real chance at a stable life.
Why the local community matters
The people who notice someone in need are usually not professionals. They're the volunteer at the Tuesday food stall, the pastor who opens the church hall on cold nights, the shop owner who sees the same man in the doorway every morning, or the neighbour who brings a coffee to the woman at the bus stop. These people often know someone's story long before any service does.
When the local community knows that help is available, they become a bridge. Instead of walking past or not knowing what to do, they can make a simple referral and know that someone will follow it up.
How we're getting the word out
Over the coming months, we'll be connecting with:
We're happy to visit, give a short talk, drop off information or simply have a conversation about how we can work together.
What it means for the community
When people with disability get the support they need, everyone benefits. People are safer and healthier. Pressure on hospitals, emergency services and police goes down. Streets, parks and public spaces feel safer for everyone. Most importantly, people who have been pushed to the edges get the chance to rebuild their lives and become part of the community again.
This is what we're working towards: a community where no one with a disability is left to cope on their own, and where anyone who spots someone in need knows exactly where to turn.
How to refer a homeless person for NDIS support
Wondering how to help a homeless person in your community? You don't need to be a professional to make a referral. If you see someone in your community who is homeless or clearly needs support, we want to hear about them. We happily accept referrals from:
Making a referral is easy. Just get in touch and tell us a bit about the person, where they can be found and what kind of help you think they need. If you can, please talk to the person first and let them know you'd like to connect them with us. We'll always make sure they agree before we go any further, because it's their life and their choice.
Let's do this together
Having a disability shouldn't mean facing life on the streets alone. One referral could be the start of someone getting their life back. If you know someone who needs support, or you'd like to partner with us to reach more people, please get in touch.
Email us at info@aimyallied.com.au or call 0434 762 294 or 0412 894 331.