For majority of the global population, the home is the safest place to be, right where one is enshrouded in the love of family. But not for some Australian families who deem it better to sleep on the streets than be confined in a home where domestic violence and family breakdown abound.

In a report by the Wesley Mission released on Tuesday, titled 'Homelessness and the Next Generation,' it found a swing in the face of homelessness in Australia over the past two decades.

Specifically, one in five Australian seek support from Wesley Mission's homeless services because of violence occurring right in the home.

"It's disturbing that the home, for many people, is no longer considered a safe alternative in life," Reverend Dr Keith Garner, Wesley Mission CEO, said on Tuesday.

"Even sleeping rough would be better for some people than to have to face abuse at home."

He likewise said that applicants for homeless services have likewise altered.

"The traditional picture of a homeless person was an older man. But the reality is, it's more and more likely to be a female. It's more and more likely to be someone who is younger and more often than not, someone with children," Dr Garner said.

Based on the study, more than a quarter of the homeless in Australia are under 18 years old, where almost two-thirds were women seeking help.

"Homelessness is not a choice, it's something that actually happens to people in very difficult circumstances, and for some it's a matter of life or death," Dr Garner said.

Further evidence likewise showed that people who experienced sleeping rough as a child are more likely to repeat the history as adults.

"Many felt their early exposure to homelessness and the cyclical nature of it had led to significant mental and physical problems," Dr Garner said. Some resorted to drugs and alcohol to block out the pain. The experience also affected their attitude to education as well as ability to hold on to a job

"Some participants said their experience of homelessness as a child had resulted in negative learned behaviour with an increased likelihood of regressing to homelessness as an adult."

More than 17 per cent of Australia's homeless are now under the age of 12, 27 per cent under the age of 18, and another 15 per cent aged 19 to 24 years.

"It is a sad fact that nationally, almost one third of homeless people who receive support are homeless families - and that number is expected to grow in the coming years."