The Voices of Homeless Young Australians

A short publication by Mission Australia based on research with 100 homeless young people that highlights some of the experiences and difficulties they face on a day-today basis.

Almost half of Australia's 100,000 homeless people are aged under 25 years of age, with a significant percentage aged 12 to 18.

Young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are often dealing with a complex range of issues that extend beyond their need for secure housing, and can include poverty, family breakdown, violence and mental illness.

This publication highlights some of the experiences and difficulties facing homeless young Australians, drawing on responses from Mission Australia’s 2004 National Youth Survey and interviews conducted in 2005.

The research identifies a number of key policy priorities for homeless young people:

• Adequate and accessible income support.
• Holistic supports which lead to positive educational and employment outcomes.
• Information and support strategies addressing alcohol and other drug issues.
• Provision of comprehensive quality support by community agencies.
• Strategies that strengthen the advice and support role of relatives and family friends.
• Increased and improved information via the internet.
• Improved access to and affordability of mental health services.
• Availability and appropriateness of social housing.

Follow this link to Mission Australia's The Voices of Homeless Young Australians (opens in new a browser window)

For further information

Contact	:	Mission Australia
Address	:	GPO Box 3515, Sydney 2001
Phone	:	02 9219 2000