Media release – Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT), 5 August 2024
Renewed calls to invest in a standalone child and youth housing and homelessness plan
The Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT), the peak body for young people aged 12-25 years, has renewed calls for the State Government to prioritise the housing needs of young Tasmanians as Homelessness Week kicks off around the country today.
Homelessness Week 2024 is an annual event that aims to build community support and government commitment to end homelessness in our communities. This year’s theme ‘Homelessness Action Now’ speaks to the urgent need for governments to act as the number of people experiencing homelessness in Australia continues to rise.
Concerningly, here in Tasmania, 39% of the state’s homeless population is under the age of 25. Children under the age of 16 presenting alone to specialist homelessness services are particularly vulnerable.
YNOT CEO, Ms Tania Hunt, highlighted the critical importance of investing in a standalone, targeted plan to end child and youth homelessness in our state.
“Tasmania’s first 20-year Housing Strategy fails to adequately respond to the unique and often complex care and housing needs of all children and young people in Tasmania. We need a targeted plan, with a youth-specific focus, to guide service delivery and coordinate outcomes in the youth homelessness service system,” Ms Hunt said.
“Young people’s experience of homelessness is different to adults. Many are forced to leave unsafe environments because of family violence, abuse and neglect and returning is simply not an option. Many young people are couch surfing and living in overcrowded dwellings, placing them at an increased risk of exploitation and harm.”
“A larger number of young people now face homelessness because they are unable to break into the private rental market.”
“Strategies to prevent youth homelessness need to respond to the unique care and housing needs of all children and young people and be age-appropriate. Importantly, any youth-specific housing and homelessness plan needs to include young people with lived experience of homelessness and be adequately funded to affect meaningful change.”
“Youth Homelessness Matters. More must be done to ensure all children and young people in Tasmania have a roof over their head and access to the care and support they need to thrive.”
A Youth Homelessness Snapshot in Tasmania:
- 39% of Tasmania’s homeless population is under the age of 25 years.[1]
- Children and young people are impacted most by homelessness in our state. Experiencing homelessness early in life increases the risk of homelessness over the course of their life.
- Young people face significant vulnerabilities and are at increased risk of harm, abuse and exploitation when they do not have a safe home.[2]
- Despite recent investment in youth homelessness initiatives, youth homelessness services are at breaking point. Many are overwhelmed by the current demand for services, the increasing complexity of issues experienced by young people accessing services, and the lack of resources and support available for workers and young people.
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). Census of Population and Housing, Australian Government.
[2] Yfoundations (2023). National Housing & Homelessness Plan Issues Paper.
Felix Ellis, Minister for Housing and Planning, 5 August 2024
National Homelessness Week
Today marks the start of National Homelessness Week, aimed at raising awareness right across Australia.
Minister for Housing and Planning, Felix Ellis said nothing is more important than ensuring all Tasmanians have a place to call home.
“The theme for Homelessness Week is “Homelessness Action Now”, which serves as a powerful reminder to address this important issue,” Minister Ellis said.
“Our hearts go out to all those Tasmanians who are doing it tough and experiencing homelessness.
“Homelessness is not a choice most people make for themselves and we are working hard to support the needs of people in those circumstances.
“This is a whole-of-community responsibility and we thank those who are doing what they can to bring more support to the lives of people experiencing homelessness.
“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, our Government is committed to supporting Tasmanians at risk of homelessness.
“We are investing a record $1.5 billion into housing, backed by the 20-year vision in our Tasmanian Housing Strategy, and our record commitment to deliver an additional 10,000 social and affordable homes by the end of 2032.
“The Tasmanian Government has delivered an additional 3,620 social and affordable homes since October 2020.
“This is a third of our target, in a third of the time, meaning we are on track to deliver on our commitment and provide these homes for Tasmanians in need.
“We are also investing more than $45 million annually to provide immediate assistance to those in need, including 20 homelessness shelters and three Safe Spaces across the state.
“We’re punching above our weight nationally when it comes to increases in social housing and we will continue to tackle all stages of the housing sector – from releasing land to delivering new crisis and homelessness accommodation.
“This includes giving women and their children access to many of the 20 homeless shelters in Tasmania and the 50 homes currently secured under the Family Violence Rapid Rehousing program, in addition to social housing and private rental assistance.
“We are committed to working closely with Tasmanians who require support, and I urge anyone who is currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness to contact the Housing Connect service on 1800 800 588.”
Shane Broad MP, Shadow Minister for Housing, 5 August 2024
Child homelessness data shines light on Liberals’ housing failure
Harrowing new child homelessness data has shone a light on the Liberals’ failure deliver sufficient housing supply over the past 10 years.
According to Homelessness Australia, in 2022-2023, 637 Tasmanian children were homeless. 413 Tasmanian children presented alone to homelessness services, and 816 did as part of a family.
Tasmania is in the middle of a housing crisis. The best way to address this crisis and address homelessness is to increase supply – particularly social and affordable stock, but also general stock to decrease demand.
The Liberals have failed to deliver on their promise from 10 years ago to deliver a single statewide planning scheme that would make approvals “fairer, faster, cheaper, simpler.”
The latest ABS data shows that building approvals have slumped and are now trending downwards, below levels that were being achieved in 2017.
The Liberals set a target to build 10,000 new social and affordable homes by 2032, but last month, Housing Minister Felix Ellis was caught out watering down the commitment to include vacant lots and shared equity purchases.
The Minister was also forced to admit that the Liberals had only built six homes in six years under their “fast-track” housing policy.
The Liberals have a clear track record of failing to deliver on housing and vulnerable Tasmanians are suffering as a result.
It begs the question, why on earth are the Greens and the Liberals teaming up to block nearly 2,000 homes from being built at UTAS’ Sandy Bay campus in the middle of a housing crisis?
