The community housing provider’s urgent plea for more youth accommodation comes after seeing a 60% increase in the number of young people seeking housing help.
As we marked Youth Homelessness Matters Day on 16 April, Link Wentworth’s figures show a 60% year-on-year increase in the number of people aged below 24 needing assistance in the Penrith, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains areas from 2021 to 2024.
“As a sector, we know the number of young people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is growing, and that’s certainly what our specialist homelessness services team is seeing on the ground in Greater Sydney,” Link Wentworth CEO Andrew McAnulty said. “It’s clear that as a community, we need to expand accommodation options for this cohort to break the cycle of homelessness now and into the future.”
In partnership with specialist service provider Platform Youth Services, Link Wentworth is in the planning stages of two new youth transitional developments in Penrith. The two-storey buildings will have a total of 13 self-contained dwellings designed with young people in mind to help provide safe, secure and affordable housing. As well as providing accommodation, young people are given access to wraparound services to help them seek the support they need.
“Assistance on offer can include help with finding suitable long-term accommodation, education and employment opportunities and access to mental health support,” McAnulty noted. “While everyone who needs a home deserves one, it is critical that we focus policy and efforts on addressing the unique challenges that come with providing immediate housing for young people and investing in ending and preventing the cycle of homelessness. This helps to reduce homelessness rates in the future through early intervention.”
McAnulty said he was hopeful the Housing Australia Future Fund and ongoing bipartisan support would secure more affordable homes for Australians doing it tough.
“As a sector, we need greater funding certainty from all sides of politics that they will invest in helping provide social and affordable rental housing for the growing number of Australians impacted by the housing and cost of living crises, and sadly, that includes our young people,” he added.
Link Wentworth also works alongside The Burdekin Association and Taldumande Youth Services to provide critical housing options for young people across Sydney.
Read also: Link Wentworth receives funding for six social housing projects
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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