Letter: Victorian Government must deliver their promise of 500 housing places for young people with mental health challenges

The Hon Jacinta Allan MP
Premier

Mr Tim Pallas MP
Treasurer

The Hon Harriet Shing MP
Minister for Housing

Dear Premier Allan, Minister Pallas and Minister Shing,

How many people do you know that have avoided going home because it wasn't a safe space? How many of us have slept in cars, crashed on couches and called it a ‘party lifestyle’? I think it’s so normalised that we hesitate to even call it homelessness. I'd like to see this change for future generations.

–Queer youth worker in Victoria, 2024

Today on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic), on behalf of the undersigned Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) Partners, call on the Victorian Government to act immediately and deliver 500 Independent housing, including private units with shared facilities like kitchens.housing places for young people. 

In 2021, the government committed to 500 medium-term supported housing places for young people experiencing mental illness and housing insecurity.¹ This was a key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Despite this commitment, the government have provided limited information on any action.

We know discrimination makes it harder for LGBTIQA+ young people to get mental health and housing supports.² In Victoria alone 1 in 4 LGBTIQA+ young people having experienced homelessness.³ This number is likely to be underreported as young people may not feel safe sharing their gender identity or sexuality when accessing homelessness services.³

500 medium-term housing places would give more LGBTIQA+ young people the housing support and stability they need to thrive.

Stable housing is a crucial protective factor for mental health. Not another year can go by. We urgently call on the Victorian Government to take immediate action on their commitment to young people’s wellbeing.

YACVic CEO Mary Nega says, “housing is a human right, but right now LGBTIQA+ young people experiencing mental illness are experiencing homelessness. In the midst of this housing crisis, the Victoria government needs to uphold their promise so all young people have the housing stability and safety they need to live healthy, connected, and celebrated lives.”

Signed,

Youth Affairs Council Victoria

On behalf of the Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) Partners