Group’s three-year plan to end youth homelessness
WITH just 11 beds to house Toowoomba’s 130 homeless young people, members of the Youth Homelessness Roundtable have developed a three-year plan to end youth homelessness in the city by 2024.
The roundtable comprises YellowBridge Qld, Emerge, United Synergies, Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland, Mission Australia, Downs Group Training and Red Cross.
“We need to take youth homelessness seriously,” YellowBridge chief executive officer Penny Hamilton said.
“The city’s 11 beds for homeless youth are always full, so most of these young people have nowhere to go.
“Despite what some people may think, young people do not become homeless by choice, the real issues are complex and varied.
“Their lives are often burdened by poverty, neglect, physical and sexual abuse, addiction, disability and mental illness.”
Ms Hamilton said young people experiencing homelessness were less likely to complete their education, find secure employment, get access to housing and forge healthy habits and relationships.
She said without the right support, many would struggle with homelessness for the rest of their lives and be adversely impacted by the emotional, social and physical challenges of it.
“We know from experience and working in this area for many years that early intervention works,” Ms Hamilton said.
“Providing a safe place to live and assistance to finish school, get a driver’s licence, find a job or training and learn life skills can turn young lives around.”
YellowBridge and the roundtable members are speaking out during National Homelessness Week about the issue.
“We do have a solution, but it will require all of our community to get involved,” Ms Hamilton said.
“We need to … support our young people for success, work together by co-ordinating the existing services and get the whole community involved,” she said.
“If we do all of this, we will be able to house every young person every night and put an end to youth homelessness in our great city once and for all.”
The roundtable has completed the analysis of the issue, consulted with lead organisations and mapped out the solutions to develop a strong three-year plan.
The three-year plan involves five crucial steps to help end youth homelessness including:
• Adopting a housing-first approach and purchase and lease dedicated mediumterm accommodation
• Engaging the community and embracing a partnership model that works with the youth sector – schools, TAFE, youth outreach, business and government
• Providing wraparound support and providing a fulltime youth support case manager for youth in accommodation
• Encouraging education and skilling and having a strong emphasis on education with all participants supported to attend and complete high school,
• Furthering education or training, as well as support for employment and having a strong emphasis on work experience, volunteering and paid employment.