The report, SAAP National Data Collection Annual Report: 2010-2011, stated that children and young people from this age group are also the highest users of homelessness services, in particular, females aged 15-19 years.

“These are alarming statistics, particularly when we know that the majority of children and young people experiencing homelessness are couch surfing and do not access any homelessness services. This means that the number of children and young people experiencing homeless is much higher than one in 48” said Michael Coffey, CEO of Yfoundations.

The report also identified an increase in the use of services - from 1 in every 140 people to 1 in 111 (or from 48,800 people to 65,400 people).

“It is clear from this statistic that the current specialist youth homelessness services are filling a vital need in NSW. There is good work being done, but services are stretched to capacity and there is still much more we need to do. The task of ending youth homelessness needs to be an urgent national priority. No young person in Australia should be homeless; youth homelessness matters.”

Yfoundations is the peak organisation in NSW that seeks to end youth homelessness. Its focus is on building the foundations that support young people to exit homelessness, including wellbeing, home and place, fairness, diversity and connections. Founded in 1979, the organisation aims to represent the needs of young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and the services that support them.

For further information and comment, please contact:  Michael Coffey, CEO Yfoundations, 0425 228 758

Download: Media Release - Data released shows children and young people are most likely to access homeless services