As the demand for youth homelessness services in Brimbank continues to grow, local organisations have come together under a national coalition to launch a platform ahead of the federal election to address the issue.
The Home Time Youth Housing Coalition has launched its Federal Election Policy Platform, urging all parties and candidates to announce their plans to reduce the number of Australian children and young people who are alone with nowhere to live.
Home Time consists of 170 organisations from across the country, including the Melbourne City Mission (MCM) which services Brimbank, with the coalition calling for the creation of a national target of 15,000 tenancies with support for young people, and removal of financial barriers that discriminate against young people trying to access community housing.
According to MCM’s youth and family homelessness services senior manager Lisa O’Brien, the campaign is of particular interest and benefit to Brimbank.
“Over the past 12 months we have seen more than 78 young people from the Brimbank area access MCM’s youth homelessness services, a 15 per cent increase from the year prior,” she said.
“As the data shows, more and more young people are seeking support and services — putting more strain on an under-resourced sector, and yet the housing system cannot meet nor fulfil the demand that is being placed on it.
“MCM strongly supports the Home Time call for dedicated tenancies for young people that will look at fixing the widening gap that has grown throughout the years.”
According to Ms O’Brien, accessible housing for young people in such a competitive market is non-existent.
“This campaign ensures that young people will have the opportunity for secure housing that is currently not available to them,” she said.
“With a safe and secure house to make into a home means that work can continue in the other areas such as education, health and employment.”
Homelessness Australia’s Kate Colvin said the newly launched campaign will get the ball rolling on implementing necessary change.
“As we head into an election, we need strong commitments from all sides of politics to fix youth housing,” she said.
“Every homeless young person who can’t return home needs safe housing and support.”
