A growing crisis in youth homelessness is prompting urgent calls for increased funding and resources, as many teens are being held in mental health facilities and hospitals instead of receiving adequate support. Reports indicate that some young individuals are remaining in these institutions for extended periods due to a lack of suitable housing options.
Brooke, now 20 years old and a member of the Youth Homelessness Advisory Council, shares her experience of being confined in a mental health ward for seven months due to obsessive-compulsive disorder. She recalls that her 16th birthday was spent within those walls, unable to leave and uncertain about her future. “They needed to release me to an address, but I didn’t have one,” she said, emphasizing the challenges faced by those with mental health needs who are also homeless.
Brooke’s story is not unique. Data reveals that in Perth, an alarming 69 individuals under the age of 25 are vying for just one crisis bed in the metropolitan area each night. Frontline workers report that there are currently only 32 crisis beds available for youth, while the demand is estimated to be three times higher. Many young people who are homeless are not even on the official list of those needing support.
The situation is particularly dire for individuals aged 21 to 25, who, despite being the most affected demographic, have access to only five of the 32 available beds. Brooke acknowledges the support she received from various organizations, including Carlow House, Safe Places, and Fusion Housing, which provided temporary shelter during her struggles with homelessness starting at the age of 15. She now resides in a unit at Youth Foyer in Leederville, a specialized accommodation that has allowed her to pursue education in community services and youth work.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come with my accommodation,” she said. “I never would have got a chance to be on the Youth Homeless Advisory Council if it weren’t for living at Foyer.” This optimism, however, starkly contrasts with the grim realities faced by many of her peers.
A coalition of youth advocacy groups, including the Youth Affairs Council, Shelter WA, Mission Australia, Vinnies, Indigo Junction, the WA Council of Social Services, and the WA Alliance to End Homelessness, has united to push for a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling youth homelessness. Their joint pre-budget submission calls for a “Housing First for Youth” model, the establishment of three additional Youth Foyers, and more crisis accommodation options.
Sue Budalich from Mission Australia stresses that young people should be focused on their futures rather than worrying about where they will sleep each night. Similarly, Sharon Gough from Indigo Junction highlights the numerous barriers young people face when seeking assistance, including a critical shortage of beds and restrictive entry criteria.
The lack of affordable rental options in Western Australia adds to the challenges. Kylie Wallace from the Youth Affairs Council points out that despite being the wealthiest state in Australia, many young individuals are turned away from shelters daily due to a lack of available beds. “Access to accommodation should be guaranteed; it’s not a ‘nice to have’,” she stated.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by troubling statistics. In Australia, a young person aged 15 to 24 who accessed homelessness support died every six days in the year 2022-23, with suicide being the leading cause of death among individuals under 24. As advocates continue to raise awareness, it is clear that immediate action is necessary to ensure that no young person is left without a safe place to call home.
