No place like Home

Who are we as human beings if we ignore the suffering of others?

In many ways, homelessness in Australia is still a “hidden” issue. The raw everyday experience of being homeless, as well as the harm it causes to young people’s health, wellness, and life opportunities, is mostly hidden from view. We can simply walk right by the problem on our streets, not noticing or realising it. Young homeless people are even less noticeable, shifting between congested apartments, assisted housing, couch surfing, or staying with others on a temporary basis.

The most recent rises in homelessness have been among the young. Rates among individuals aged 25–34 have consistently risen over the past three Censuses, rising from 15,848 in 2006 to 18,411 in 2011 and 24,224 in 2016 — a 32 percent increase between 2011 and 2016.

It is a common misperception that young people choose to be homeless. The truth is rather different. The issues that lead to homelessness are numerous and complex. For at-risk youth, life has become emotionally and, in many cases, physically unbearable. Poverty, neglect, abuse, unemployment, substance misuse, health difficulties, disability, and mental illness may all be factors in their daily lives. This series of events leads some young people to believe that they have no choice but to leave. They are unprepared, have nowhere to go, and have been separated from society.

Poverty is a major contributor to homelessness among children and their families, while overcrowding and bad housing conditions are common entry points. Family conflict and domestic and family violence are also common entry points for children and their families into homelessness, since many persons escaping abuse lack the resources and support networks needed to find acceptable new housing.

What happens to young people who are homeless?

Young people who are homeless are less likely to continue in school, acquire jobs, obtain rental housing, or retain friendships. They have a higher risk of depression, malnutrition, substance misuse, and mental health issues. Many people will battle with homelessness for the rest of their life if they do not receive the proper assistance.

People without a home are also pushed to the fringes of society, where they face hostility and find it difficult to obtain basic services like the local doctor. When someone is homeless, they are frequently denied the ability to contribute meaningfully in their community.

Economic sense

In Australia, the cost of health and justice services for homeless youth is $626 million per year.

Preventing youth homelessness makes sense from a purely economic standpoint. According to a recent social return on investment analysis of Kids Under Cover’s preventative initiatives, for every dollar invested in our programmes, $4.17 is returned in social value.

The expense of treating the needs of homeless young people can be up to 22 times more per year than the cost of Kids Under Cover’s youth homelessness prevention initiatives. The cost of assisting young people in the justice or residential housing systems can reach over $228,000 per year, whereas Kids Under Cover studios cost only $10,000 per young person per year.

This is in addition to the cost of providing help and housing for homeless youth.

Kids Under Cover Studio Program allows a young person to be connected to their families and support networks while also giving them a sense of safety and space. When the studio is no longer needed, it is transferred to make room for another young person in need.

Our approach

We need to pay attention to the needs of young people before they become homeless. Early in adolescence, it is possible to identify the drivers of homelessness, as well as the interrelationships between them, at the individual, family, peer-group, school, community, and policy levels. Targeting these factors should be at the forefront of policy reforms aimed at reducing homelessness and assisting young Australians in making a successful transition to permanent residence.

It is also vital to focus on the health needs of the young homeless in addition to addressing the causes of homelessness. To do so, we must track the health needs and results of these young people at a national level in order to drive policy changes across the board. Injuries received as a result of violence, for example, may increase access to subsidised social housing, particularly for young people, and reduce the physical dangers of homelessness.

Our approach to reducing the number of homeless young Australians needs to improve. Short-term, crisis-driven solutions will not avoid a new wave of homelessness or help homeless young people with their health requirements. To eradicate the catastrophic effects of homelessness, an inter-sectoral alliance of researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and young people with lived experience of homelessness must join together and be engaged in planning processes.

Stable and secure housing is a core human right and basic need

NSW Helplines

Link2Home 1800 152 152 — Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
The NSW Department of Family and Community Services has launched a state-wide phone line to help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless find housing and support.

Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 656 463 — Available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Assist other government departments, such as Health or Housing, in locating additional support services for those who require them as a result of domestic abuse.

WelcomeMat — available 24 hours, 7 days a week
A specialised affordable housing portal where you can search for and apply for available affordable housing. https://www.welcomemat.com.au