It’s hard not to get a feeling of deja vu when you see the the homeless count from the 2016 Census.

As with previous counts, the results are damning. The number of homeless Australians jumped 14 per cent in the five years to 2016. In almost every category, homelessness has grown worse.

Providers of homeless services, including St Vincent’s Health, react with great disappointment and anger – as we always do – that the situation has been allowed to deteriorate so badly.

The number of homeless people has grown across the country. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Governments then release "glass half-full" statements in response, claiming activity and purpose in addressing the problem. And then the caravan rolls on.