Homeless children
By Olivia Brunskill
What does homeless mean?
Homeless means that if you don't have a bed to sleep, a home to stay in that is under shelter you are classified as a homeless person. Even if you are living at a friends place and you don't have your own shelter you are classified as homeless.
How many kids are homeless?
There are around about 17,845 kids under the age of 12 that were counted as homeless and 402 children under the age of 12 are sleeping rough. There are 10,913 12-18 years old who are all homeless. There are homeless kids all across australia and they need help. One in six Australians aged 15-24 are living in poverty. In fact, children under the age of 18 make up 27% of people experiencing homelessness.
Where are the kids staying?
6% are staying in tents or sleeping out
20% are staying in supported accommodation for the homeless
17% are staying in other households
17% staying in boarding houses
1% are temporary lodging
39% are staying in overcrowded dwellings
Kids are often staying wherever they can get a space, they need a bed and shelter it is very wrong for a child to have to stay outside for the alone for weeks, months and even years
Why are they Homeless?
Kids are often homeless because of
their families.
They can't afford rental housing
Domestic family violence
Intergenerational poverty
Financial Crisis
Long term unemployment
Severe mental illness or psychological distress
Exiting State care
Exiting prison
Severe overcrowding/ housing crisis
Kids are often left to fend for themselves and it is are hard life for them.
Families
Imagine not being able to support your family, give them a home or even food and water.
Wish list
All the things that a homeless kid wants. Would you ever like to be in this position?
Passing
Everyday hundreds of people pass of homeless children, people and families.