April 2005

True stories debunk homeless youth myths

Many young people experiencing homelessness are resilient and hopeful and not necessarily destined to a life of crime and drug abuse.

These are just some of the conclusions of a research study exploring the experiences of young homeless people in Melbourne.

The study—Getting Out—Young People’s True Stories—is part of Project i, an international longitudinal study of young people in Melbourne and Los Angeles and the only research of its type ever done in Australia.

The joint University of Melbourne and University of California project has tracked nearly 400 newly-homeless young people aged between 12 and 20, interviewing them up to eight times over a two-year period.

Getting Out—funded by the Office of Housing, Department of Human Services and the Besen Family Foundation with the support of the Council for Homeless Persons—presents stories of homelessness told by eight young people in Melbourne.

These humbling stories challenge stereotypes and describe courage in the face of adversity.

‘We often think of homelessness as a negative experience but, for many young people, it is a temporary situation—they are trying hard to rebuild their lives and are reflective about what’s happened to them,’ said Melbourne Project i Research Director Shelley Mallett.

‘Young people have told us stories about family life that are painful to hear, yet they survive.

‘More than survive, many of those we spoke to are improving their lives despite their circumstances and the obstacles they face,’ Dr Mallett said.

‘I was eight when it happened,’ said Imogen in an extract from Getting Out.

‘It started off as a normal blind date but Mum didn’t come home.

‘There was no food or money and I left school ‘cos I couldn’t afford the fares anymore.

‘No one knew…

‘My grandparents came over about three months after Mum left and something just snapped inside of me.

‘I just blurted out that Mum had left with a heroin addict… and she just never came home again,’ said Imogen.

In another extract Emma said she was surprised she had not died.

‘You know, now that I’m here and I’m alive and I’m off the drugs, my life’s a lot more positive and better–it’s worth living.’

Barry said the reason he became homeless was because he was a little turd.

‘Mum couldn’t put up with it.

‘The hardest thing about leaving home was not seeing my mother every night. That killed me,’ said Barry.

‘Everyone says I’m still on the streets but I’ve put myself into a different category,’ said Jamie.

‘I’m in-between.

‘When I was 12 was actually the first time I got kicked out of home.

‘My mum got pissed one night, threw a bottle at my head and that’s when I thought, ‘nuh it’s time to get out of here.’

Getting Out—Young People’s True Stories targets young people and all those who work with homeless young people.

Project i is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States and looks at a range of issues including young people’s experience of institutions and services, reasons for leaving home, living arrangements, sense of belonging, sexual experience, levels of violence experienced, drug and alcohol use, involvement in illegal activities and risks to health and well being, especially HIV and hepatitis.

• For more information contact Project i Director and Research Fellow Shelley Mallett at the Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, University of Melbourne on 8344 0245 or 0419 110 183 or visit http://www.kcwhs.unimelb.edu.au/projecti/.