Drugs, conflict ‘push 200 kids onto streets’

Alex de Vos
Hundreds of Geelong youths are sleeping in the streets or in temporary accommodation according to a youth homelessness report.
The National Youth Commission this week released results of the first independent national inquiry into youth homelessness in almost 20 years.
The report said the number of homeless teens had doubled.
Mike Kelly, of Geelong homeless service Time For Youth, said the rise was “alarming”.
“Youth homelessness is very much a local problem,” he said.
Mr Kelly said 200 youths aged 12 to 24 were homeless in Geelong “on any given night”.
Twenty were in “housing crisis”.
“People as young as 12 might be couch surfing, sleeping rough or sleeping in makeshift arrangements,” Mr Kelly said.
“Many of these people on the street can consequently become victims of crime and contribute to the growing rate of violence that we see in Geelong.”
Mr Kelly blamed the rise on increasing family conflict and youth drug and alcohol addictions in Geelong.
“There are greater stresses on families because of drug and alcohol issues,” he said.
“There are more reports of couples and young people being addicted to this, that and the other and it puts enormous strain on families.”
Mr Kelly said homeless youths were significantly more likely to have alcohol and drug problems, mental illness and trouble with the law.
“It’s not simply a matter of shelter or accommodation – many of these young people on the street have other problems and issues,” he said.
Mr Kelly said Time for Youth was struggling to cope with demand.
“We run a youth refuge called City Limits and more often than not we’re full,” he said.
“We often have to turn young people away.”