Youth Homelessness Is a Problem We Can’t Afford to Ignore

For Homelessness Week (August 7 – 13), a contributor reflects on the dire state of youth homelessness.

Strolling through the city, many of us walk by those homeless on the streets and ignore the narratives they carry.

Would you be surprised to learn a majority of those are of equal age to many of us? That they’re young adults who have the potential to carry fulfilling lives, but are not given the opportunity because of their circumstances?

There is a dire misconception that homelessness is a choice. Existing financial hardships and social circumstances make some young adults vulnerable to fall down this path, primarily due to mental health issues, domestic violence, unemployment and drug and alcohol abuse.

Being locked up or arrested on the streets encapsulates a very real situation for many; this, alongside the housing affordability crisis and stigma attached to youth homelessness does not make the situation any better for those who need help.

Those who tough it out on the cold winter nights, or continue to be displaced in the sweltering summer days, often trickle into a spiral of mental health conditions. A shocking 57 per cent of young people with mental illnesses and family instability have experienced homelessness in Australia. Additionally, young people with a mental illness are 3.5 times more likely to have spent time away from home.

The correlation between homelessness and conditions such as poverty, malnutrition and abuse is strong. The severity of these conditions intensifies in the long term and places enormous pressure on the government and non-for-profit services, costing the health and criminal justice services an average of $15,000 per homeless person, according to the Swinburne University of Technology.

Every night, more than 100,000 people are sleeping rough on the streets, in temporary and improvised lodging or in “severely” overcrowded dwellings. Approximately 44,000 of those are young adults and teens. Hence, homelessness services need to be supported, immediately.

Young people who are at risk of being homeless need the foundation and resources to help build a financially stable future at a central hub. Services across Australia provide the help homeless youth need to get back on their feet, but they are not able to do so without the support from government, business and the community.

It is unacceptable that youth homelessness is an ongoing issue. We should encourage others to realise that youth homelessness is not a choice, and that these young adults do not need to be a burden to our society.

Instead, we should advocate for change and break the stereotypes, making sure we can help others our age to receive the same quality education, stable homes and income as we do.

You can do your part by participating in Homelessness Week 2017.

Andrea Au is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. See more student contributions here.

Photo: iStock