When Australians think of homelessness, most picture someone sleeping on the street - someone they might pass by on their commute to work in the city, or on a night out. It's the image that comes to mind in news headlines and public appeals.

Login or signup to continue reading

But what if we told you that more than 90 per cent of people experiencing homelessness are not sleeping rough? Instead, they're couch surfing, living in their car, staying in insecure accommodation or living in overcrowded housing. These are the most common forms of homelessness, yet they are also the least understood.

That misunderstanding matters. If we only define homelessness as rough sleeping, we risk overlooking the quiet but devastating struggles happening all around us. And for Gen Z - the youngest working-age Australians - those struggles are increasing at an alarming rate.

Young people aged 19-24 experience homelessness at almost double the national average, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, which also tells us that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of all people experiencing homelessness are aged under 24.

Our recent research at Orange Sky reflects this. A June study we commissioned from YouGov showed 44 per cent of Gen Zs had experienced elements of homelessness or housing insecurity, compared with 35 per cent of Australians overall. They are the most likely to have skipped meals because they couldn't afford them or taken on multiple jobs just to keep up with rent, bills and groceries.

This is not just about economics. While rising costs of living and housing pressures play a role, the reasons behind youth homelessness are often complex. Family breakdowns, domestic violence, mental illness, insecure work, or the absence of stable community connections all play a part. What links these experiences is not only........

© Canberra Times