April 15 2015 is Youth Homelessness Matters Day, a national campaign held during National Youth Week organised by the National Youth Coalition for Housing.

Nationally, more than 40% of people experiencing homelessness are aged under 25 years old with a similar proportion in the ACT. There are many causes of youth homelessness but among the main reasons is those escaping family violence, child abuse or family breakdown.

As a government, we know it’s important to provide housing support for young people experiencing homelessness as well as addressing the causes - to help young people avoid homelessness.

The ACT Government through the Community Services Directorate supports a range of specialised housing and homelessness services for young people. 

In 2014-15 the ACT Government is contributing $4,568,782 to nine specialised housing and homelessness services for young people. All services operate under a personalised case management approach:

• Barnardos Australia – Youth Identified Accommodation Support Program - $302,797
• Barnardos Australia – Our Place - $563,944
• Barnardos Australia – Friendly Landlord Service - $366,543
• Conflict Resolution Service – Crisis Mediation Service - $260,299
• CatholicCare – Housing Support Service - $281,548
• Gugan Gulwan – Supported Assistance - $73,797
• Salvation Army – Youth Emergency Accommodation Network - $2,358,622
• St Vincent de Paul – Young Parents Accommodation and Support Program - $196,522
• Ted Noffs Foundation – Take Hold Program - $164,679

In 2013-14 the ACT Government contributed $4,544,770 to nine specialised housing and homelessness services for young people. All services operate under a personalised case management approach:

• Barnardos Australia – Youth Identified Accommodation Support Program - $302,649
• Barnardos Australia – Our Place - $563,670
• Barnardos Australia – Friendly Landlord Service - $366,365
• Conflict Resolution Service – Crisis Mediation Service - $251,983
• CatholicCare – Housing Support Service - $272,553
• Gugan Gulwan – Supported Assistance - $71,439
• Salvation Army – Youth Emergency Accommodation Network - $2,357,476
• St Vincent de Paul – Young Parents Accommodation and Support Program - $196,456
• Ted Noffs Foundation – Take Hold Program - $172,180

As well as providing accommodation support, an important part of our work is making sure governments work with and listen to younger people and that we support the next generation of leaders in our community.

We are also supporting younger people to get the support they need to help them reach their potential. If we can connect younger people with the right services and support from accommodation to education, training and employment support we’ll help young people get the skills and confidence they need to break out of homelessness.

Youth Homelessness Matters Day is a call to everyone to take action in publicly stating that youth homelessness matters and should be prevented. Youth homelessness does matter and I will do everything I can to prevent it and hope you will too.

To show your support for Youth Homelessness Matters Day or to find out more visit: www.youthhomelessnessmatters.net/yhmd/welcome-nych