Community health nurses: The impact of housing instability on health

When basic health needs like housing and safety aren’t met, healthcare is often the first thing to fall away.

Without consistent access to care, preventable conditions can worsen quickly, and sometimes they may become life-threatening.

These impacts are not felt equally. Women and children escaping family violence, First Nations Australians, and people sleeping rough are among the most vulnerable groups experiencing homelessness and at risk of violence, health complications, and premature death.

Jen and Troy, community health nurses here at Launch Housing, see these challenges firsthand.

“People experiencing homelessness face additional barriers to the care they need – stigma, long wait times, cost, transport difficulties, and digital exclusion. Over time, these challenges compound, and treatable conditions go unmanaged.”

Gaps in care lead to more urgent health needs

Last winter, a woman in her early 60s came to our clinic in chronic pain. She had lived with it for years. She hadn’t seen a GP, had no medical records, and had missed routine screenings entirely.

By the time Jen and Troy met her, what should have been straightforward care had become complex and urgent.

In the clinic, Jen and Troy regularly see the impact of interrupted care like this. They shared;

“Women tell us they have lived with pain, symptoms or declining health for years without assessment or treatment, significantly impacting their quality of life and safety.”

Nearly half of women seeking homelessness support report family and domestic violence as a contributing factor. Leaving a violent situation can mean leaving behind a GP, medical history, and any continuity of care.

We have supported women who have missed years of preventative healthcare, including cervical screening and other routine checks.

Often when people reach our clinic, their health has deteriorated significantly

Community Health Nurses like Jen and Troy provide health assessments, monitor and manage chronic conditions, support access to medications, and connect people with GPs and specialist services.

They had this to share on what they witness every day in the clinic; “Through the provision of these specialist health services, we see every day how homelessness and health are linked.

We also see that with the right support, at the right time, illnesses can be identified earlier, managed more effectively and prevented from becoming life-threatening.”

Donate to provide healthcare to older women facing homelessness

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