Survey Reveals Nearly 1 in 10 Young Australians Faced Homelessness Last Year

Almost one in ten young Australians aged 15 to 19 experienced homelessness in the past year, according to a new survey by Mission Australia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to those facing homelessness. The Unfair Divide report, released on July 31, surveyed 19,501 teenagers, finding that 1,508 (8.6 percent) reported experiencing homelessness within the last 12 months. This homelessness took place either with or without the teenagers’ families and included time spent without a fixed address, living in refuges, or in transitional accommodation. Sharon Callister, chief executive of Mission Australia, highlighted the profound impact of homelessness on young people’s well-being and future prospects. “Whether enduring the harsh realities of sleeping rough, seeking refuge in crisis or transitional accommodation, or couch surfing, the experience of homelessness for young people can be distressing and scarring,” she said....