Young people make up a disturbing percentage of the number of homeless people in New South Wales. According to Counting the Homeless NSW, there are over 25,000people suffering from homelessness in New South Wales, 39% of who are under the age of 25. One way to end this terrible issue plaguing our state is to raise the voice of the young people involved. Youth homelessness is not only about numbers, but about people, especially the children and young people of New South Wales who are affected by homelessness. The Youth Homelessness Election Forum aims to provide an invaluable opportunity where politicians can directly interact with and hear from young people about their experiences with homelessness in their everyday lives.

As part of Yfoundations 2011 Election campaign, the organisation has collected hundreds of signatures from young people around New South Wales pledging their support that “youth homelessness matters.”By increasing the voice of the children and youth, and connecting them with their elected officials, youth homelessness can become a poignant issue in the 2011 NSW State Election. Yfoundations believes that to end youth homelessness, the youth must be included in policy discussions. There is no better resource for politicians than the voice of homeless and at-risk youth. 

At the event, Yfoundations will also be releasing their challenge to government for the 2011 NSW state election. The document is a bi-partisan call for the newly elected government to work towards creating and implementing directed, effective solutions to end youth homelessness in NSW.

Yfoundations is a member based, peak youth body in New South Wales, focusing on the foundations that support youth to adopt paths out of homelessness including, wellbeing, home and place, fairness, diversity and connections. Founded in 1987, Yfoundations aims to represent the needs of homeless and at-risk youth and the services that support them.

Yfoundations appreciates the support and time of Minister Linda Burney, Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird, and Greens MP David Shoebridge to participate in a frank and open discussion on this important issue.

Contact:

Michael Coffey, CEO Yfoundations

0425228758

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Download: Media Release - Listening to homeless young people this State Election [Adobe Acrobat PDF - 140.93 KB]