Fed: White paper uncovers youths without roofs

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2010
Fed: White paper uncovers youths without roofs

ADELAIDE, April 29 AAP - A tight rental market, housing shortage and a federal focus
on homelessness have uncovered a disturbing number of youths without roofs.

The federal government has promised to halve homelessness by 2020, with the last Australian
census reporting 17,000 of the homeless were young people.

Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek is in Adelaide for talks with state experts
as part of a national tour aimed at addressing the problem.

Since the release of the government's investigation into the problem many issues have
been uncovered, but in particular, the number of homeless youths, more of whom are seeking
help.

Those who were relying on friends and family for a roof over their heads were now seeking
help, which is putting pressure on homeless service providers, Ms Plibersek told AAP in
Adelaide on Thursday.

"Young people (in particular) used to move from friend to friend, until they outwore
their welcome, then they'd move onto the next insecure accommodation or the next friend,
or perhaps they'd end up sleeping rough," she said.

Despite the government spending up on housing projects as part of its fiscal stimulus
package, affordability remains a problem.

"We have a very, very tight rental market in Australia," she said.

"For around a decade now we haven't been building enough homes."

The shortage was making it hard for first home buyers and renters, which was detrimental
effects on those with lower incomes, including homelessness.

"As prices continue to go up, those people continue to be squeezed."

AAP ahe/lk/jlw

KEYWORD: HOMELESS

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