Why Youth Homelessness Matters

According to Homelessness Australia, there’s a staggering number of homeless young people in Australia. When we think about homeless youths we often think about street kids, drug addicts and runaways. But this is not always the case. Most of the homeless youth aren’t homeless by choice.

Domestic issues and family violence and relationships or family breakdown are the most common reasons for young people living on the streets. We are experiencing a housing crisis for the lack of cheap affordable safe and secure rental properties on the market. The youth of today simply can’t afford to rent. The rate of unemployment in youth is also higher than other age groups.

Some other reasons may be

• Poverty
• Social inequality
• Unemployment
• Lack of education
• Lack of work experience
• Living on youth wages
• Living in rural areas

Research has shown that the younger a person is when they experience homelessness the more likelihood for them to experience it throughout their adult lives.

Anglicare Video – Light Up the Streets 2013 – Youth Homelessness

Mental Illness Factors

Up to 75% of people who show signs of mental illness do so before they reach the age of 25. Statistics show that up to 40% of people in youth state care/Foster homes experience homelessness within the first year of leaving or exiting the system.

Anxiety and Depression are largely experienced by those who find themselves homeless.
Those from non-English speaking backgrounds face disadvantages especially the youth who come from refugee backgrounds are more likely to experience homelessness due to the following disadvantages they face…

• Discrimination
• Language barriers
• Not knowing resources available to them in the homelessness system
• Lack of social networks
• Previously having experienced trauma, separation and torture

Sources

Homelessness Australia – http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/index.php/about-homelessness/fact-sheets

Where to get help – Are you Homeless?

Homelessness Australia Website has a wide range of resources available and places to contact throughout Australia http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/index.php/are-you-homeless
Search for a counsellor near you – www.theaca.net.au
Lifeline – A free 24 hour Crisis Counselling service – 13 11 14
Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800 –