As members of the Sunshine Coast community prepare to sleep rough at the Vinnies Corporate and Community Sleepout on Thursday 8 August, shocking statistics reveal nearly 24 per cent of homeless people in Australia are under the age of 18.
Vinnies Youth Homelessness Mobile Support Worker Dean Hanley sees first-hand the hardships youth have to go through to find affordable accommodation.
“If you give somebody a home, you give somebody a rock and a place to start repairing the damage that’s already been done,” Mr Hanley said.
“I work with young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to sustain or obtain accommodation whether they are experiencing primary homelessness, or about to be homeless.
“It can be anybody. There are people from privilege and people from low socio-economic backgrounds and everyone in between. It’s never the same, I have worked with a range of young people over the years.”
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said homeless people are some of the most vulnerable in our community and this is one night when the community can come together to make a difference.
“St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland (Vinnies) is finding domestic violence, shortage of affordable housing, mental illness, and family breakdown are just a few reasons why people becoming homeless,” said Ms Zubrinich.
“The hard truth is these young people may be in fear of returning home, so they resort to couch-surfing, sleeping in their cars or living on the streets.
“This is why every dollar raised in the Sleepout is vital — it helps Vinnies to provide support services, accommodation and sometimes just a comforting ear to listen.”
Vinnies is hoping to raise a total of $150,000 through the Sleepout to put towards affordable units on a piece of land in Nambour.
To donate to the cause, register to participate or find our more, please visit www.communitysleepout.org.au.
