Homelessness Week runs from 01 to 07 August 2022 and is coordinated by Homelessness Australia with the aim of raising awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face and the action need to achieve enduring solution. This year’s theme is ‘To end homelessness we need a plan’.

Every day our team of specialist youth homelessness workers are giving their all and competing with other agencies for severely limited accommodation options suitable for vulnerable and traumatised young people and young families.  As a dedicated youth homelessness organisation, Hope Street teams witness daily the impact of social and economic systems that perpetuate the disadvantage and vulnerability of young people.  Although young people are on the lowest incomes and are still in the developmental stage of their life as they grow into adulthood, they are the least serviced group.  This is a structural and systems issue including homelessness and housing.  A first step in the right direction to change this would be a dedicated youth homelessness and housing strategy with specialist youth homelessness and housing agencies collaborating with government and community to develop and implement change.  Hope Street is a leading youth housing provider and at the ready to contribute.

Hope to Home in Whittlesea is one of Hope Street’s youth focused innovation programs. Funded in partnership with philanthropy this highly successful pilot initiative is helping to end homelessness for young people and young families by connecting them to private rental. By participating in the program, young people are actively supported to develop goals and begin building a rental history as well as gaining valuable knowledge and skills relating to securing and maintaining leases. 

One young parent who was engaged with the program said:

“I finally got my first ever rental after trying for over a year for myself and my children and I can’t thank [Hope Street] enough. They’ve helped me out tremendously.”

While Hope Street advocate to government for funding for this program, community donations will help. Donate now to help a young person make plans for a better future in a safe and secure home.