Youth homelessness matters, and it’s time we act like it!
Everyone deserves a safe and stable home, but in Tasmania, that’s not the reality for far too many young people.
This year, for Youth Homelessness Matters Day, we’ve joined forces with Glenorchy City Council and a host of service providers to raise awareness of this issue through a free all-ages community event at the Tolosa Street Skate Park.
The event and the day itself are a call for urgent action. It is time to make ending youth homelessness a priority in Tasmania.
In Tasmania, young people aged 12 to 24 make up a staggering quarter of all people experiencing homelessness.
From 2023 to 2024, more than 1,500 children aged just 8 to 17 presented alone to specialist homelessness services for support, however it is still an invisible issue. These numbers do not capture the hundreds of children who did not present to services, those who stayed in alternative arrangements including couch surfing, on the streets and in improvised dwellings.
These are not just numbers; they’re real people. They’re children. They're the next generation and they need our help.
Many of these children are navigating domestic and family violence, family breakdown, trauma, mental health challenges and social isolation.
Youth homelessness is preventable, but only if the right policies and funding are in place. We already know what works: safe and stable housing; early intervention programs that prevent young people entering the homelessness system; and youth focused support services that help young people recover from trauma, develop life skills and reach their full potential.
“Young people who reach their full potential are an asset to Tasmania economically and socially. Governments have a responsibility to invest in solutions that work towards ending youth homelessness.”
Without stable housing and the proper support, it becomes incredibly challenging for them to attend school, maintain employment or feel any sense of hope for the future.
We know from our work that meaningful change starts with listening to young people themselves—those who have lived experience. They are the experts in what they need.
And what they need are services they can access in places where they feel safe, respected and heard.
Youth Homelessness Matters Day is about recognising that, with the proper support, young people can move past crisis towards a brighter future.
As a state, we have made some steps to address youth homelessness, but more must be done - particularly for under 16s, who are falling through the cracks of our current systems.
At Home Base, we’re committed to walking alongside young people on their journey toward housing stability, connection and independence. But we need your urgent support to keep up with the growing demand in our community.
The contributions of donors, large and small, are not only appreciated but also crucial to our mission of providing a brighter future for our young people.
Together, we can end youth homelessness.