Race for youth homelessness

Alongside 16 youth based teams, Katherine’s youth team have decorated couches for the annual “Couch Surfing” race presented by Anglicare NT and City of Darwin

​The Couch Surfing event, taking place at the Civic Park Courtyard in Darwin, aims to raise awareness about the issue of youth homelessness and the disproportionally high rates in the Northern Territory. 

About 3947 young Territorians aged between 12- 24 years are homeless, equating to about half of the total population of homeless people.

“Together, we hope to raise awareness about youth homelessness and the rights all young Territorians have to a safe and stable home,” Anglicare NT CEO Dave Pugh said. 

This week NT Shelters consultations revealed higher numbers of young people leaving unfavourable home and family situations. 

“We have 15% of the nation’s youth homeless, most of whom live in severely overcrowded dwellings,” NT Shelter’s executive officer Peter McMillan said. 

“We take this opportunity today on Youth Homelessness Matters Day to remind everyone that housing is a human right and we need to do more to help those who experience homelessness through no fault of their own,” NT Shelter’s executive officer Peter McMillan said.  

“Increased Commonwealth and Territory funding is urgently needed for housing and homelessness services based on the NT’s demonstrably high level of need,” Mr McMillan said.

“Only then can we start to make meaningful inroads into reducing youth homelessness and give our young people appropriate housing, which will enable them to pursue the same education, health and employment opportunities that the rest of us take for granted,” he said. 

Youth Homelessness Matters Day is a national campaign that aims to raise public awareness of youth homelessness and celebrates the resilience of young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Australia. a disproportionately high number of youth experiencing homelessness