Youth homelessness an invisible issue no more

Narrabri and District Community Aid Service (NDCAS) will shine a light on youth homelessness on April 19, bringing an important petition to the wider Narrabri business community.

“We are calling on the ones who have a voice to speak up for the ones who do not,” said NDCAS community development officer Kayla Nehrkorn.

The date which falls on National Youth Homelessness Matters Day is no coincidence, putting a face to the invisible issue that regional communities are dealing with.

One in six Australian teens have experienced homelessness, the number becoming more significant the further we venture into regional communities, which lack services and proximity to aid.

The 40,000 youth presenting for homelessness between 2021-22 are not even the full amount accounted for, as the census does not capture those who are couch-surfing or living rough.

After attending the Family and Youth conference in Armidale last month, NDCAS were in awe of a speech given by Trish Connolly, CEO of the Y foundation, and ricocheted into action.

“We are in dire straits, and hearing about a solution targeted at regional communities sent chills up our spines,” said Ms Nehrkorn.

“This petition resonates with us because we work so closely with youth in our community, and we see them coming through our doors needing help, asking for a place to go.”

The petition calls for the Standalone National Child and Youth Homelessness Housing Strategy, something that the Narrabri community has sorely lacked.

In Narrabri, this solution would mean a youth refuge. For Australia, this means a youth refuge in every LGA.

NDCAS caseworker Jess Weeks, who works in proximity with homelessness said, “We need a youth refuge.

“We are getting at least two children in our office a week, and we have nowhere to house them.

“Until they turn 16, their situation is unworkable because they can’t even sign a lease. We as the adults have the power to make a difference.”

According to the Specialist Homelessness Services Report 2012, 46 per cent of youth presenting alone to homelessness services needed long-term housing and only 3.9 per cent of them received it.

“Youth homelessness in Narrabri directly affects our community. It affects their schooling, they are couch-hopping, and there is the potential for criminal activity.

“Also, who is feeding these kids? Where do these kids sleep? The grandstand, the riverbank?”

The team at NDCAS, alongside service providers across the state, are calling for a national solution that starts with community awareness and a proper understanding of what youth homelessness is.

“If you look at what leads to adult homelessness, there is generally a break in family circumstance, kids do not have that foundation to begin with,” said Ms Weeks.

“A 12-year-old does not force themselves homeless. It is circumstantial. Family breakdowns, drug and alcohol addiction, domestic and sexual violence, and is nothing on their accord.”

Youth from 12-24 years of age make up 24 per cent of the homeless population but only 16 per cent of the general population.

Another concerning statistic is that 50 per cent of youth facing homelessness experience mental illness which is exacerbated by alcohol dependence.

“Each year you prolong alcohol consumption in a homeless teen reduces their mental health by 10 per cent, so if you have a teen from 12-16 consuming alcohol because they are homeless and have no parental care, by the time they were 16 they’re in a much worse situation,” said Ms Weeks.

The petition currently sits at 4500 signatures, and 500 more are needed before it can go to local media. After that, parliament is the goal.

“It starts with the community changing their perception of what homelessness is, and what homeless youth is,” said Ms Weeks.

“Homelessness isn’t just someone sleeping rough near the river, it’s the invisible homeless, couch surfers, overcrowded homes and people sleeping in their cars that we often forget.

“We are looking to the community for support. If we don’t give it to these kids, then who will?

“So, we need everyone in Narrabri to join us on April 19 and sign this petition.”