October 2002

Action on youth homelessness

More than 180 representatives of homelessness and related agencies took part in a state-wide forum to promote a Youth Homelessness Action Plan.

The Office of Housing—through the Homelessness Assistance Unit and resulting from the Victorian Homelessness Strategy (VHS)—hosted the forum.

Agencies represented included Centrelink, drug and alcohol services, mental health services and school-focused youth services.

Department of Human Services Director of Housing and Community Building Jennifer Westacott opened the forum.

She emphasised the Department’s commitment to improving access to services for young homeless Victorians, including initiatives targeting marginalised young people.

Delegates attended workshops focusing on priority youth topics such as crisis responses, drug and alcohol and mental health issues, long term housing and support options and working with under-18-year-olds.

The Youth Homelessness Action Plan initiative seeks to provide a framework for continuous improvement to the homelessness service system and related program areas.

As a part of the initiative, extensive consultation will be undertaken with both service users and providers to identify issues for consideration and possible strategies to meet the current and future housing and support needs of young homeless Victorians.

• Further information on the initiative can be obtained by visiting the VHS website at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/vhs.