The Department of Human Services (DHS) focused on Youth Homelessness Matters Day last week (18 April) to highlight the achievements of its specialist staff in linking homeless people with Government and local community services.
The Department said that every night about 105,000 people were homeless and many were sleeping rough around Australia.
“Almost half (42 per cent) are under 25 years old, including almost 18,000 children under the age of 12,” DHS said.
It said the DHS was often the first point of contact for many people facing homelessness.
“So it is vital frontline staff can quickly identify individuals and families at risk and offer them information, resources and support,” it said.
General Manager at DHS, Hank Jongen said youth and children at risk of homelessness were especially vulnerable.
He said of the 28,000 children homeless at some point in any given year, many had left home due to family violence, child abuse or family breakdown.
“Young people experiencing homelessness are difficult to identify and less likely to be aware of the support services available,” Mr Jongen said.
“Often they are couch-surfing, staying with friends or relatives for short periods of time.”
He said Social Workers and Community Engagement Officers had regular contact with refuges, crisis accommodation and community centres to connect people who were homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, with local support services and Centrelink payments.
“These staff build trust with people so they feel comfortable enough to talk about their situation, and connect them to the most relevant support services,” Mr Jongen said.
“Services may include youth refuges, medical services, education and employment support to help build the foundations for a strong, healthy and stable future.”
