Experts at the forefront of the homelessness crisis in Victoria are coming together to demand a new plan to end youth homelessness in the state.
Homelessness practitioners and young people with lived experience of homelessness are gathering at the landmark Victorian Youth Homelessness Assembly in Melbourne on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
The Assembly will begin with a panel discussion featuring young people who have faced homelessness, and the entire event will be guided by an MC with lived experience.
A range of topics are set to be covered over the two days, including prevention, the overlooked needs of young people in family violence responses, and the effectiveness of housing models with wraparound supports to help young people build stable, long-term tenancies.
"More than 16,000 people aged between 15-24 sought out homelessness services last year and 11,000 of them were alone in that process. That's a number that should be unacceptable in our society," Council to Homeless Persons CEO Deborah Di Natale said.
Victoria currently has no Youth Homelessness Strategy and its youth-specific policy is outdated.
"The state's most recent youth homelessness plan celebrated its 18th birthday last year. We need a modern strategy to end this spiralling crisis, and we can't afford to wait any longer for it.
"The Assembly is bringing together sector leaders, frontline workers and young people who have had to navigate homelessness, to create a clear plan for the reforms to which we need the State Government to commit. Together, we can create a pathway to meaningful change," Deborah di Natale said.
The Victorian Youth Homelessness Assembly is being held in Melbourne's CBD over Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.
