Combatting youth homelessness and helping young people successfully move from crisis care to long term accommodation is a priority of the NSW Government
Young teens who turn to homelessness services will be better supported with 24/7 safe accommodation and increased resources to reunite them with their families, or appropriate longer term carers.
Announcing the successful tenderers for the $32 million Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP), Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard said the new services delivered expanded support to young teens aged 12-15.
“It is deeply concerning that so many young teens, many of whom have experienced family trauma and domestic violence are in need of safe and secure accommodation,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The NSW Government has looked closely at how best to support homeless young people and we’ve developed guidelines for the 1,000-1,300 young 12-15 year olds who come to homelessness services each year.
“Services will deal with the crisis and importantly the resources are there to support a young person to return safely to their homes and rebuild their links with family, kin and cultural connections.
“Where returning home is not possible, each young person will be supported into more appropriate longer term housing and care arrangements.”
The new services are funded to June 2020 and cover every region in NSW, offering:
- more safe and secure accommodation
- 24/7 support and assistance
- casework support for young people and their families, and
- practical assistance to meet costs for travel, school or personal items
Combatting youth homelessness and helping young people successfully move from crisis care to long term accommodation is a priority of the NSW Government.
