Strong Focus on Youth Homelessness in White Paper

Thepeak organisation for young homeless people and youth homelessness services inQueensland, the Queensland Youth Housing Coalition (QYHC), welcomes the launchof the “The Road Home- A NationalApproach to Reducing Homelessness” by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today.

“Wecongratulate the Prime Minister and Minister Plibersek for delivering on theirelection promise to reduce homelessness. We welcome the significant new investment in homelessness to improve theresponses to homelessness” said Maria Leebeek, Executive Officer of QYHC, andfounding member of Australians for Ending Homelessness.

“The White Paper sets up a strong vision and three major strategies with theview to halving homelessness by 2020 and we look forward to working with theFederal and State governments to make this happen”.

“TheWhite Paper has addressed many of the concerns that QYHC and its members havehighlighted during the course of the Green Paper consultation.  In particular the recognition that youngpeople make up the largest group experiencing homelessness and that specificresponses need to be developed is warmly welcomed”. 

TheWhite Paper provides greater scope for the State Government to respond tohomelessness.    QYHC believes that there is a need for the QueenslandState government to develop specific youth homelessness responses in order tobe able to meet some of the targets outlined in the White Paper.

“Weare encouraged that the White Paper supports the continued development ofspecialist homeless services that will build on and enhance the foundationaland critical work that has been done by youth homeless services over the last threedecades.” 

The White Paper recognises the role that “peak homelessness services can play”particularly in the area of research that will improve homelessness responses.  “Itis hoped that QYHC will be supported by the State government to be able toassist them not only as part of their negotiations with the Federal Governmentin the development of the National Partnership Implementation Plan but in thebroader implementation of the new national approach” noted Ms Leebeek.

“ThisNational Approach to Reducing Homelessness is a fantastic opportunity toaddress homelessness and to provide homeless young people with a hope for theirfuture.”

For more information contact:

Maria Leebeek

Executive Officer

M: 0418 773 217

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