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Adam Bub
GLBT youth agency Twenty 10 has welcomed The National Youth Commission’s (NYC) Inquiry into youth homelessness in Australia. Twenty 10 contributed to the report by detailing issues facing homeless queer youth in NSW.
In a statement, Twenty10 Executive Officer Meredith Turnbull said that “this report highlights the relevancy of GLBT specific services” and that GLBT youth experience the same difficulties as all homeless children, compounded with homophobia and abuse within some generalist services.
The NYC proposes a roadmap of 10 essential strategic actions, which include the development of a national framework and plan of action, increased affordable housing for young people, an expanded Reconnect early intervention response for at-risk young people, funded cooperative links between specialist health, drug and alcohol and employment services, post-vention support for young people getting back on track, and more.
Caretakers’ Cottage, a GLBT-friendly homeless children’s refuge in Bondi, has also welcomed the recommendations. “We are very pleased with the findings of the report, especially in regards to the Reconnect program,” President Nicholas Stewart told SX.
After the Australia’s Homeless Youth report’s launch in parliament last Tuesday Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “The report identifies nearly 5,000 homeless young people in NSW alone and 22,000 across Australia, with the cost of not helping calculated at more than half a billion dollars.”
Funded by the private philanthropic Caledonia Foundation, the inquiry received input from 319 individuals, including young people, with written submissions from government departments across Australia.
Major David Eldridge (NYC Chair), Associate Professor David Mackenzie, Narelle Clay, AM, and Father Wally Dethlefs claim that youth homelessness should be on the political agenda alongside issues like climate change.
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