Left Right Think-Tank’s policy paper makes two key points. Firstly, the development of a comprehensive workforce strategy for the community and social services sector is needed in order to expand and improve early intervention programs, and provide effective supported housing, for young people. Individualised services, which can respond flexibly and patiently, are required. Homelessness is a flashpoint on the enduring challenges in this area. Not for profit, community organizations shoulder a massive burden in the provision of invaluable social services. Social and youth workers, and other specialist service providers, need adequate resourcing, training, remuneration and recognition.
Secondly, specialist services and programs addressing homelessness need to be properly integrated into the provision of general social support services. They also need to be responsive to and coordinated with one another. A system of information sharing and agreements for cooperation are vital, but raise issues of privacy, oversight and implications for funding structures. However, solutions for these challenges will greatly improve efficiency, accountability and accessibility of services.
The Rudd Government should be commended for its initiative and focus on homelessness. It is encouraging that the shift in discourse regarding homelessness places the problem firmly within a social inclusion agenda. This agenda provides guiding principles for policy and commits the government to targeting the problems that keep people in disadvantage and that prevent them from participating fully in Australian life.
It recognises the goal that all Australian should be able to learn, work, engage and have a voice in the Australian community. Homelessness is, purposefully, contextualised as a social problem, not an individual choice or failing. The agenda is also a useful framework illustrating the need for holistic and coordinated approaches across all areas of policy, but especially on issues of complex social disadvantage.
In speaking to young people who are homeless – even those with humour, determination and compassion – the difference in life experience and prospect is confronting. It is unacceptable. All young people should be nurtured and loved, provided with every opportunity and allowed to contribute to Australian society.
On April 14, the Federal Minister for Youth the Hon Kate Ellis MP launched the government’s national strategy for young Australians. It articulates a vision “for all young people to grow up safe, healthy, happy and resilient.” Coincidentally, April 14thwas also Youth Homelessness Matters Day. The Queensland Youth Housing Coalition, the state’s peak youth housing body, marked the day by launching a campaign calling for the development of a Queensland Youth Homelessness Action Plan. Left Right Think-Tank participated in the launch of the campaign and joins this call to action.
A focus on young people is crucial to achieving the goal of eliminating homelessness. A state action plan would directly contribute to meeting the targets set in the national strategy for homelessness and address the specific needs of young people experiencing homelessness. It would also acknowledge society’s collective duty to value, protect and empower all young people.
Elizabeth Cullen is Queensland Policy Manager of Left Right Think-Tank. Left Right Think-Tank is Australia’s first independent and non-partisan think-tank of young minds (aged 15 – 24). Our mission is to involve young people in public policy. Our vision is for a society that seeks and embraces the ideas of young people. The policy paper on youth homelessness can be viewed online at www.leftright.org.au. For further information, please email e.cullen@leftright.org.au.
Elizabeth Cullen makes the comment…. “Focus on youth is the key to tackling homelessness”. I believe this is only partly true. One of the key predictors of crime rates is the literacy rate in the adult male population. The highest crime rates are often in areas where adult literacy levels do not meet Grade Three standards. In fact, some US Governors have used this statistic as a way to predict where new prisons should be located. Heather Ridout, CEO of the Australian Industry Group, estimates that four million workers out of the total 11 million Australians in the workforce are “functionally illiterate”. That means they are unlikely to be able to learn new skills and cannot be employed except in the most unskilled positions. Ridout went on to comment on the ABC’s Q&A recently that there were an estimated seven million “functionally illiterate” folk in the Australian adult population. This is the group that makes up a large portion of the unemployed or under-employed or unemployable portion of the population and this is where so many of the homeless come from.
The focus therefore should be on ensuring that literacy levels are maintained in our schools. There is lots of research that shows that once people fall behind, they never catch up. If literacy levels are maintained, then the social issues of youth that Elizabeth Cullen writes about will be greatly reduced. If folk reach their youth and are functionally illiterate, sadly they are probably doomed for life.