On 18 and 19 March, Hope Street’s Business Development and Partnerships Manager, Olivia Myeza, and People and Culture Advisor, Riette Veldsman, attended the National Youth Homelessness Conference at Melbourne Town Hall. The conference was the first national homelessness conference focused solely on youth to be held in Australia in 20 years.

In 2008, the combined advocacy of the National Youth Commission (NYC) Inquiry into Youth Homelessness through its recommendations and report Australia’s Homeless Youth, and The Oasis documentary brought youth homelessness into the public spotlight. This had a significant impact on public perceptions and policy on youth homelessness, however in the interim this issue has gradually dropped off the public radar. This conference built upon the findings of the 2007/08 National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness and assessed the progress that has been made in the last 10 years. The event brought together experts and like-minded individuals and groups to learn from the past, plan for the future, and act to end youth homelessness.

Olivia Myeza, Business Development and Partnerships Manager, said the conference raised some important questions…

• Continue reading this article in our April 2019 issue and download a report card on youth homelessness in Australia
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