Release of Youth Homelessness Report 15 July 2002

Tomorrow we will be releasing to the media a report showing the results of a youth homelessness census conducted in August 2001.

The census was conducted among 1,930 state and Catholic schools and Supported Assistance Accommodation Program (SAAP) services across Australia. The report, prepared by Chris Chamberlain and David MacKenzie of RMIT University, shows that 8.4% more youth aged 12-18 are homeless today than 7 years ago when the last youth census was conducted.

The report shows a number of alarming statistics:

a.. nationally, 26,060 youths aged 12-18 are homeless b.. 55 percent of homeless youths are girls c.. only 41 percent of homeless youths remain within the education system The rate of youth homelessness varies greatly between states, ranging from 10 homeless per 1000 youths in NSW and Victoria, up to 69 homeless per 1000 youths in the Northern Territory.

For a full copy of the report, and The Salvation Army’s response and recommendations, please visit the following website:

http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/reports