Auckland Council tackles youth homelessness

A Youth Homelessness Forum set up by Auckland Council is focussed on challenges facing homeless young people and exploring possible solutions.

The forum on May 19 brought together agencies working with homeless youth, including LIFEWISE, Dingwall Trust and Affinity Services.

Auckland Council’s Community Development and Safety Chair Councillor Cathy Casey, who opened the forum, says young people are the ‘new homeless’ in Auckland.

“Auckland Council, Government and volunteer agencies must work in a co-ordinated manner to ensure young people have alternative housing options and the support services they need,” says Cr Casey.

“Supporting homeless young people today will lessen the cost to our health, police and justice sectors in the future. Youth homelessness is a common pre-cursor to homelessness in later life.

“Ratepayers contribute $50,000 a year to the Auckland Homeless Action Plan, and my plea to Government is to continue work with Auckland Council and other agencies to address the issue.”

The forum will reconvene later this year to present and discuss suggested solutions with young people.

For more information or to get involved in Auckland Council’s efforts to address homelessness, phone the council on 09 301 0101.

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