Young mothers and their babies are among the fastest growing groups facing homelessness, with services struggling to keep pace with rising demand.
The latest annual report by Brisbane Youth Service (2024-25) revealed one in three young people aged 12 to 25 seeking support is a parent, up from 22 per cent in 2022, and of those young parents, one in five is caring for a newborn.
For young women who are pregnant or parenting, the intersection of homelessness and violence creates a compounding crisis.
Brisbane Youth Service’s newly introduced Safe Young Mums and Bubs program is critical, combining safe housing with 24/7 youth-centred, trauma-informed parenting support to address homelessness, child safety risk, and domestic and family violence in one integrated model.
Brisbane Youth Service Safe Young Mums and Bubs Program Manager Claire Roberts said early intervention is critical to keeping young families safely together.
“Many of the young women we support are navigating trauma, housing instability, and early motherhood all at once,” Roberts said.
“Research shows that among Australian single mothers who have temporarily separated from a violent partner, almost 50 per cent will return at least once because they have no money, no financial support, or simply nowhere else to go.”
When young mums have access to safe housing we see significant change. Greater stability, stronger parenting confidence and better outcomes for their children.
Despite strong results from its inaugural year, demand for BYS’ Safe Young Mums and Bubs program far surpasses capacity with waitlists continuing to grow as more young parents and children seek urgent support.
Brisbane Youth Service CEO Pam Barker said greater investment in the program is critical to allow them to expand the program to more young mums and their children.
“Our Safe Young Mums and Bubs program is proof that we can break the cycle of homelessness and violence and give children the chance to stay with their mum from birth,” Barker said.
We have the evidence, we have the model and we have hundreds of young mums and bubs who need our support.
What we need now is stable, ongoing investment to open the door to more young parents.
This Mother’s Day, the findings offer a powerful reminder: supporting young mums isn’t just about keeping families safe today, it’s about shaping better futures for generations to come. To donate to Brisbane Youth Service, visit give.brisyouth.org.
We’re nearly 50!
Since 1977, Brisbane Youth Service has walked alongside young people facing disadvantage and homelessness. Almost five decades on, our mission remains: helping Brisbane’s young people shape new futures. As we approach our golden jubilee in 2027, we invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements and resilience of young people, listening to their voices, and driving lasting change, together.
We’re nearly 50!
Since 1977, Brisbane Youth Service has walked alongside young people facing disadvantage and homelessness. Almost five decades on, our mission remains: helping Brisbane’s young people shape new futures. As we approach our golden jubilee in 2027, we invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements and resilience of young people, listening to their voices, and driving lasting change, together.