New data reveals rise in youth homelessness
New data reveals youth homelessness in WA has surged to alarming levels, forcing children and young people to compete for help in an already overwhelmed system.
Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures show 830 unaccompanied children and young people are seeking support from specialist homelessness services on any given day, which is a 17 per cent increase from last year.
WA also has the highest number of people who are turned away from homelessness services in the country, with an average of 96 unassisted requests every day.
Children and young people make up more than half (56 per cent) of unassisted requests, which is far higher than the national average of 44 per cent.
Off the back of this worrying data, a coalition of peak bodies, frontline services and young people is urging the State Government to prioritise ending youth homelessness.
The Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA), Youth Homelessness Advisory Council (YHAC), Shelter WA, WA Council of Social Services (WACOSS), WA Alliance to End Homelessness (WAAEH), Mission Australia WA, Vinnies WA, and Indigo Junction’s joint pre-budget submission calls for an urgent investment of $150 million in the WA State 2026-27 Budget.
Read the full Pre-Budget Submission here.
Key facts:
- 830 young people are presenting alone to specialist homelessness services every day - up 17 per cent from last year and 21 per cent five years ago
- 1,400 children in families are being assisted daily by specialist homelessness services
- WA has the highest daily average of unassisted requests at 96 - a 22 per cent increase since last year
- Children and young people aged 0-24 make up 56% of unassisted requests in WA, compared to 44% nationally.
Key priorities from the pre-budget submission include:
- Investing in a “Housing First for Youth” model which delivers a variety of accommodation and housing models for young people, including crisis accommodation, more Youth Foyers, and more social and affordable housing
- Strengthening prevention and early intervention initiatives, such as Place-Based Youth Service Hubs
- Building the capacity and coordination of the youth homelessness sector
- Ensuring the voices of young people with lived experience are embedded in policy and service design.