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

A homeless girl sleeps on the ground by a sign asking for food and clothing in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 18, 2021. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

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.

“It should be unacceptable for any young person on the cusp of adulthood to be forced to experience homelessness in Australia.”

The report also revealed that 47 percent of young people who had been homeless felt lonely all or most of the time, compared to 18 percent of those who had not experienced homelessness.

Additionally, two in five recently homeless young people reported having a mental health condition, compared to 13 percent of those with stable housing.

Callister emphasised that ending youth homelessness and addressing young people’s broader hardships in Australia is achievable with the right resources.

“It requires a comprehensive approach, including the concrete solutions outlined in this report, such as investing in housing supply, ensuring adequate rental subsidies, implementing prevention measures, and expanding youth housing options,” she stated.

“We want to see an Australia where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. But currently, for too many young people, it is neither.”

Homelessness Australia will hold events during Homelessness Week from August 5-11, themed “Homelessness Action Now.”

In conjunction with Mission Australia’s findings, Monash University’s Centre for Youth Policy and Education Practice released its 2024 Australian Youth Barometer, highlighting the challenges facing young people.

Among 600 Australians aged 18 to 24 surveyed, 98 percent reported anxiety or pessimism, 86 percent faced financial difficulties, and 26 percent experiencing these difficulties often.

Only 53 percent believed they would achieve financial security, and just 56 percent usually felt a sense of belonging when spending time with friends.

Young Australians and Food Security

Additionally, 17 percent of young Australians experienced food insecurity at some point in the last 12 months, with higher rates in regional and remote areas.

The report notes food insecurity is more prevalent among young people born in Australia (19 percent) than those born in other countries (5 percent), as well as among young Indigenous Australians (30 percent) compared with other young Australians (15 percent).

The report quotes instances where youngsters believed donating blood was a method to receive food.

“They give away little meat pies and really nutritious stuff in the little snacky section [at blood banks], so I’m like, “Oh my God if I donate blood, I can get some protein,” a young Tasmanian girl said in the report.

It further highlights how food insecurity is more prevalent among young people with physical disabilities (56 percent), long-term illnesses (36 percent), and mental health conditions (30 percent) compared to young Australians without disabilities (16 percent).

Young Australians and Relationships

The report also explored young people and their relationships with others, revealing that 59 percent of young Australians are single, 34 percent are in a relationship, and 5 percent are casually dating.

Interestingly, 62 percent think it is likely or very likely that they will live in a long-term relationship, and 52 percent think it is likely or very likely that they will have children in the future.

In the constantly evolving virtual world, 46 percent of young people agree or strongly agree that it is easier to connect with others online than to talk in person.

In the last 12 months, 62 percent of young Australians often or very often felt like they belonged when they spent time with family, 56 percent felt this way when they spent time with friends, and 46 percent felt this way at work.

According to the report, young people are ambivalent about the role of social media, believing that it can help connect people but does not replace real-life relationships.

Among those who felt lonely, 16 percent were more likely to report social media addiction compared to 9 percent of those who did not feel lonely. Overall, 27 percent of young people reported being addicted to social media, which is higher than older age groups.