Social Futures CEO Tony Davies and General Manager for Housing and Homelessness, Martelle Geurts joined Local Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin in donating an hour of their pay to support the cause – and they are encouraging others who are able, to do the same.
The 2021 census revealed 45,850 children and young people were homeless in Australia on any given night, 273 of which were in the Northern Rivers region, however Ms Geurts said that number is definitely greater.
“Youth homelessness is incredibly difficult to measure because it is hidden from view. Young people will couch surf or move around trying to find a bed for the night in different places, so they don’t outstay their welcome,” Ms Geurts said. “It’s a precarious existence.”
“The need for our homelessness and housing services has increased, particularly post flood, with Social Futures youth homelessness services seeing a 4 per cent increase in demand in the past year.”
“There has been unprecedented investment from both Federal and NSW State Governments for social and affordable housing which will lead to much needed housing outcomes,” Ms Geurts said, “but we are faced with equally unprecedented challenges, and more is needed to address the homelessness crisis.”
Ms Geurts says cost of living pressures are compounding an already dire situation for young people and the extra money from the Hour of Pay for Youth Homelessness Matters Day campaign, will help to cover those things young people who are homeless often go without, such as medicine, toiletries and mobile phone payments.
“If we want to help young people avoid homelessness and poverty, we really need to raise the rate of income support payments like JobSeeker and Youth Allowance,” Ms Geurts said, “but at a local level, donating what you can to help see young people through these tough times will make an enormous difference.”
Photo: Social Futures staff hold signs promoting Youth Homelessness Matters Day
Kyogle local, 18-year-old Jazmyn Kilburn has experienced firsthand the impacts of homelessness and says an additional $100.00 a week could mean the difference between eating or not.
Photo: Jazmyn Kilburn was 16 years old when she became homeless
“It is impossible to make the small amount of money we get from youth allowance stretch to cover even the basic things, like food and bills, let alone the cost of rent now. And forget extra things like medicine or going to the dentist.”
“That extra money will mean a lot to young people who are struggling,” Ms Kilburn said.
Jazmyn shared her story in a video clip released for Youth Homelessness Matters Day.
16 April is Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) – an annual national day in Australia dedicated to raising awareness about child and youth homelessness.
YFoundations, the peak body behind Youth Homelessness Matters Day, is partnering with local homelessness organisations, including Social Futures, to raise funds for young people facing homelessness, by asking people to Donate an Hour of Pay to Youth Homelessness Matters Day.
If you would like to donate an hour of pay, or whatever you can spare, to local youth who are homeless, you can click here.
95% of the funds donated will go directly to young people Social Futures supports through its Connecting Home Youth program. These funds will be used for brokerage – not program costs – to cover additional expenses such as transport costs and mobile phone payments, to keep young people connected to support; educational expenses; clothing; medicinal and personal care items. 5% goes to YFoundations to cover campaign costs.
Social Futures has a range of services to support people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or in unstable housing. Call 1800 719 625 to contact our Connecting Home team.
Social Futures does not provide emergency accommodation. If you are experiencing homelessness and need emergency accommodation, please call Link2Home 1800 152 152.
