March
3rd,
2021
The campaigns to end homelessness must be relentless. It is up to us to make governments respond to the will of the people. The Federal Government, in December 2014, de-funded Homelessness Australia, the peak advocacy body. Homelessness Australia operates on a voluntary basis, credit to them, and has no employed personnel.
Governments have a bent to smash both systemic and community advocacy. We must stand in the way and ensure the multitude of voices are heard.
As a youth and homelessness advocate, we must be relentless in speaking out. We need to understand our youth are at higher risk to suicide than else. The leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-old youth, is suicide. In 2019, 461 youths died by suicide. The trend continues, in fact is worsening. Half the homeless are youths aged 25 years or less.