The North East’s largest provider of youth homelessness services is joining calls for a standalone National Child and Youth Homelessness and Housing Strategy.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows 122,494 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness on Census night in 20211.
Of those 122,494, nearly 15 per cent were younger than 12 and almost a quarter (23 per cent) of all people experiencing homelessness are aged from 12 to 24.
In 2021-22, 28 per cent of young people presenting alone to youth homelessness services like Junction were couch surfing. This unstable, unpredictable living situation can cause substantial harm to young people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing.
“The figures are proof that Australia urgently needs a comprehensive and standalone Child and Youth Homelessness and Housing Strategy,” Junction Support Services CEO Megan Hanley says.
“The needs of children and young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness are not the same as adults. Youth homelessness needs a coordinated approach at a national level to ensure we can adequately support young people at every stage of their journey.”
This Youth Homelessness Matters Day (April 19), Junction Support Services is taking to the streets to raise public awareness of homelessness in our region.
The community is encouraged to sign the #YHMD2023 Petition calling on the Federal Government to establish a standalone National Child and Youth Homelessness and Housing Strategy.
The online Petition is at: http://www.change.org/EndHomelessness_CYP.
“We invite everyone in the community to sign the petition and show their support for young people experiencing homelessness,” Junction’s Specialist Homelessness and Youth Services Manager Kat Hodgens says.
“Together, we can make a difference and demand the urgent action needed to end youth homelessness in Australia.”
