Tasmania ranks third in the country for youths most likely to experience homelessness after Victoria and the Northern Territory.
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The last census showed there are nearly 600 homeless Tasmanian youths.
On its website, the non-profit organisation Colony 47 states it is "supporting Tasmanians to be healthy, housed, learning, employed, and empowered."
Colony 47 also celebrates Youth Homelessness Matters Day this Wednesday, 17 April 2024.
According to their website, it's "a national day conceived in 1990 to raise awareness and public discussion about child and youth homelessness.
"It is designed to start conversations about sustainable and innovative solutions for supporting the needs of young people experiencing homelessness.
"Over the years, it has grown into a national celebration of young people's resilience and an important day of advocacy for sustainable and innovative solutions to support the needs of children and young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness."
Colony 47 lists several recent statistics on youth homelessness compiled by academics from the University of Tasmania.
It highlighted that nearly 600 Tasmanian children and young people aged 12-24 were recorded as being homeless on the last census night.
Young Tasmanians experience homelessness at a higher rate than any other state or territory in Australia except Victoria and the Northern Territory.
In 2021-22, over 1,400 young Tasmanians aged 10-24 presented alone, without a carer or guardian, to specialist homelessness services seeking help.
In 2021, 25 per cent of people experiencing homelessness in Tasmania were children and young people aged 12-24 years.
Spike in homelessness figures
Between the 2006 and 2021 censuses, Tasmania experienced by far the most significant increase in child and youth homelessness in the country up 42.6 per cent.
Colony 47 CEO, Ms Dianne Underwood said, "Almost a thousand children and young people in Tasmania aged between 15 and 24 have nowhere to live.
"The most important thing to acknowledge on Youth Homelessness Matters Day is that this shameful problem can be fixed.
"For too long, governments have put this issue in the too-hard basket or provided unsustainable support at the point of crisis," she said.
Colony 47 is on a mission to end youth homelessness.
"Despite complex barriers, we know that young people can move out of the crisis with the proper support towards brighter futures.
"Everyone deserves a safe place to live and sleep at night.
"Putting a roof over young people's heads is the key to helping them get back on track, reconnect with education or employment and realise their full social potential.
"We want to see investment in early intervention initiatives for children and young people, which will save money in the long term and contribute to a stronger community overall.
"We can change the stories of these young lives and turn fear and trauma into hope and opportunity," Ms Underwood said.
The difference between youth and adult homelessness
Catherine Robinson of UTAS Homelessness ColLAB, wrote a report given to Colony 47 which pointed out the differences between youth and adult homelessness:
- The causes and solutions of child and youth homelessness are different to adult homelessness.
- Whilst a focus on the housing crisis and shortage of affordable housing is critically important right now in Australia and Tasmania, the main drivers of homelessness for children and young people are conflict, abuse, violence and overcrowding in the family home.
- Older children and young people predominantly experience homelessness unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. They do not have the financial or legal capacity to access housing, nor is it appropriate to push vulnerable children and young people into early independence.
- Not only do children and young people need accommodation, but they also need ongoing care and support just like a parent can typically provide.
- Children and young people who experience homelessness alone are facing a 'care crisis' as well as a 'housing crisis'. This requires a different response to the housing crisis alone.
Hugh Bohane
Journalist at The Examiner, covering breaking news, community news, crime and court. Got a story? I'd like to hear it: hugh.bohane@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Formerly a freelance correspondent and Griffith Uni graduate.
Journalist at The Examiner, covering breaking news, community news, crime and court. Got a story? I'd like to hear it: hugh.bohane@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Formerly a freelance correspondent and Griffith Uni graduate.
