By Matthew Sims
A new report has shown that more than one in 30 Victorian people aged 15 to 19 experienced first-time homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ahead of Homelessness Week [Monday, August 1 to Sunday, August 7], the Mission Australia report ’Without a home: First-time youth homelessness in the COVID-19 period’ highlighted that 3.9 per cent of Victorian respondents in Mission Australia’s 2021 Youth Survey aged 15 to 19 indicated they experienced homelessness for the first time as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mission Australia Victorian director Nada Nasser said the findings were “shocking“ and highlighted the impacts becoming homeless has on young people.
“Young people who were homeless for the first time during the pandemic said they faced enormous psychological distress, family conflict and discrimination.
“Being forced into homelessness at such a crucial age can mean missing out on important education and employment opportunities.“
Ms Nasser said a national plan to end homelessness and plans for universal risk screenings were urgently needed.
“Early intervention is crucial and we urge governments and others to take action so young people are adequately supported and help them avoid homelessness, reach their full potential and thrive,“ she said.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Kate Colvin said the compounding impact of spiking rents and stagnant wages was impacting living standards and putting people at risk of homelessness.
“When you combine surging rents with flat wages you put people in a financial vice,“ she said.
“The recent change of government represents an opportunity for a reset.
“Now is the time to get moving and give people on low and modest incomes genuine choice.“
According to the 2021 Census data, 28.5 per cent of Hobsons Bay renter households were experiencing rental stress, which was a 19.1 per cent increase on the 9.4 per cent of renter households experiencing rental stress in 2016.
Details: www.missionaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/ending-homelessness/national-homelessness-week or homelessnessaustralia.org.au
