A jump in the number of young Queenslanders at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness has seen a desperate call for action.
New data from Brisbane Youth Service showed there were 68,310 support occasions in the last financial year compared to 58,664 the year before.
Approximately half of the young people Brisbane Youth Service support were homeless, with 77 per cent in unsafe, overcrowded, or unaffordable housing.
The rise in youth presenting to homeless support services has prompted a group of advocates to band together to call for an end to homelessness for young people ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
PeakCare, Q Shelter, Open Doors, Brisbane Youth Service, Footprints, YFS and Mission Australia have called on all political parties to prioritise system and service integration to prevent young people from exiting care into homelessness.
The group was calling for a ‘Housing first’ strategy with targeted investments in safe and secure social housing for young people between 12-24 years of age.
Chief Executive Officer at Brisbane Youth Service Pam Barker. Picture: John Gass.
BYS chief executive Pam Barker said it was about early intervention and prevention.
“So we want to decrease the numbers of young people coming in the system, and we want the government to commit to an allocation of housing for young people so we can deal with the current situation now and then we can decrease the numbers of young people who are coming through the system,” Ms Barker said.
“Young people are still presenting at a horrific rate…
“We’re seeing that in the data, because the numbers of young people presenting homelessness is not decreasing.
Data also showed over four years, homelessness in Queensland rose by 22 per cent.
The groups have called for the government to develop a policy for housing unaccompanied 12-15 year-olds, fund additional therapeutic housing models and set targets to deliver social and affordable housing.
Read the full article for more insights on how we’re advocating for better solutions, alongside PeakCare, Q Shelter, Open Doors, Footprints, YFS and Mission Australia:
Also published in Monday September 16, 2024 print edition of the Courier Mail as ‘Big hike in youth without shelter’.
