Recognising Youth Homelessness Matters Day 2024

Youth Homelessness Matters Day is held every year on the third Wednesday of April. This year, it falls on Wednesday 17 April. It highlights the resilience of young people affected by homelessness.

Over 38,000 young people aged 15 to 24 years presented alone to a homelessness service in 2022-23. Close to half of those young people experienced mental ill-health and over one third had experienced family and domestic violence. This statistic only scratches the surface of the reality of homelessness.

The Australian Government has funded the Reconnect Program since 1999. Reconnect is a community-based early intervention and prevention program for young people aged 12 to 18 years (or 12 to 21 years in the case of newly arrived youth) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and their families. Reconnect helps around 7,000 young people each year – helping to prevent youth homelessness by keeping young people connected with their families, communities, and education, training or employment opportunities.

Reconnect Services understand problems faced by young people are not isolated from other aspects of their lives. Education, family, community participation, and employment are also a consideration. Reconnect services work collaboratively with schools and a range of services to make sure all clients presenting, or being referred, to Reconnect either receive assistance, or are directed to more appropriate services, such as specialised mental health services. Reconnect Services provide counselling, group work, mediation and practical support to the whole family, to help break the cycle of homelessness.

More information

To find out more about Reconnect visit Preventing youth homelessness.