In 2007, the Victorian Government will introduce guidelines on discrimination on the grounds of homelessness or social status (Guidelines).** The Guidelines will apply to businesses and other entities that provide accommodation or goods and services. The aim of the Guidelines is to protect, educate and reduce the extent of this form of discrimination.

The PILCH Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic (Clinic) put out a call for participants in 13 Consumer consultation workshops. The purpose of the workshops was to collect information regarding experiences of discrimination on the basis of homelessness or social status which could inform the Guidelines. Our call was answered by 183 generous Consumers who attended workshops held at various HPLC Clinics and Homelessness agencies across Melbourne, and Geelong. Consumers were asked to complete a structured survey about participants’ personal experiences of discrimination on the grounds of homelessness and social status in relation to accommodation and goods and services providers. The information from these surveys has since been collated and the results suggest that the discrimination on the grounds of homelessness and social status is frequent and widespread in Victoria.

Almost 70% of people surveyed have experienced discrimination on the basis of homelessness or social status at the hands of accommodation providers. Most frequently, people are discriminated against in private rental or by real estate agents, followed by boarding houses, transitional or crisis accommodation, hotels and public housing. Almost half of those surveyed reported that discrimination on these grounds had prolonged their homelessness and had made it increasingly difficult to find a sustainable pathway out of homelessness.

A similar picture emerges in relation to goods and services providers, who discriminated against almost 60% of respondents on the basis of their homelessness or social status. Discrimination was most often experienced from restaurants, cafés or bars, followed by banks, retail shops, hospitals and telecommunications providers.

The adverse consequences experienced as a result of both forms of discrimination include poor physical and mental health, social isolation and family or relationship difficulties. As a result of discrimination, the feelings of victims range from marginalisation and frustration, to anger, worthlessness, grief, anxiety and suicidal tendencies. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some respondents have simply become accustomed to such treatment and have learned to deal with it.

People who have experienced discrimination on the grounds of homelessness or social status are overwhelmingly in favour of the proposed Guidelines, and most are optimistic that the Guidelines will reduce the amount of discrimination that occurs on these grounds. However, some are understandably cynical at the ability of the Guidelines to overcome the behaviour that a lifetime of experience has led them to expect.

HPLC would like to thank all who participated in or assisted with the Discrimination Surveys.

'Discrimination is discrimination, whether on the basis of race, religion, sex or homelessness.  Everyone has a right to fair treatment.  So in my view, discrimination on the grounds of homelessness is as bad as any other, and setting up guidelines is a step in the right direction.' (Respondent from Ozanam House)

'Probably because I was unshaven, had coffee on my shirt and no socks. They said they had no space- I know that wasn't true. If a person is unemployed or on a pension the estate agent will never give it to them. In most cases the homeless people would be fantastic tenants because they would appreciate it so much.' (Respondent from St Mary’s House of Welcome)

'Being discriminated against makes you feel hopeless, like no one cares what happens to you.' (Respondent from Outpost)

**These Guidelines were launched on 31 October 2007.  See below for further information and for copies of the Guidelines.