Thousands of children in New South Wales (NSW) are seeking homelessness support without a parent or guardian, prompting Federal Crossbenchers to urge the Albanese Government for immediate action. Recent data reveals alarming statistics about children and young people in Australia who are experiencing homelessness, highlighting a growing crisis that poses significant risks to their safety and well-being.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, during the 2023–24 period, 4,462 children requested medium-term housing assistance, but 2,863 were left without the necessary support. Similarly, of the 4,435 children in need of long-term housing, 80.7%—or 3,551—were unable to secure it. This situation is particularly dire in NSW, where 6,108 out of 13,300 children seeking help from specialist homelessness services did so without parental guardianship.
Escaping Danger but Facing New Risks
Many of these vulnerable children are fleeing homes marked by violence, neglect, or abandonment, only to find themselves in precarious situations. Kate Colvin, the CEO of Homelessness Australia, noted, “Most children who are homeless without a parent or guardian are fleeing homes where they have experienced violence, abandonment or neglect. They go from danger of one kind into danger of another.”
The urgency of this issue has led to the launch of the Home Time campaign, an alliance of housing and homelessness organizations advocating for national action. The campaign is calling for the establishment of 15,000 dedicated tenancies designed for young people, the removal of the youth housing penalty from the social services system, and prioritization of individuals aged 16 to 24 in the Housing Australia Future Fund.
Colvin emphasized the critical lack of age-appropriate housing options: “The reality is that there are very few dedicated homes with age-appropriate support for adolescent children and young people. The data reveals the magnitude and urgency of a problem that our current system cannot adequately address.” Without significant changes, the plight of these children is likely to worsen, resulting in more harm and potential fatalities.
Moving Forward with Urgency
The call to action from Federal Crossbenchers reflects a growing recognition of the systemic failures that contribute to this crisis. As children continue to be left without necessary support, advocacy groups are pressing for immediate governmental intervention. The proposed initiatives aim to provide a safety net for those most at risk, ensuring that every child has access to safe and stable housing.
The alarming statistics and the testimonies from organizations like Homelessness Australia serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for reform. The ongoing efforts of campaigns like Home Time highlight the importance of a coordinated response to combat homelessness among children, ensuring that they can escape cycles of danger and build a brighter future.
