The extent of the issue of Youth Homelessness in Australia
Activity 1: Explore and discuss the statistics in the Australia’s Homeless Youth Report
Australia’s Homeless Youth Report http://www.theoasismovie.com.au/report/report.php The National Youth Commission’s report, Australia’s Homeless Youth, is the result of the first national independent inquiry into youth homelessness since the Burdekin Human Rights inquiry in 1989. Funding was provided by The Caledonia Foundation
SMALL GROUP TASK: In small groups, divide the report up into sections and read. Discuss in your group and report back to your class:
Why might the official data on youth homelessness be an under-estimation?
What solutions do you think exist to reduce youth homelessness and what would need to happen in order for your ideas to become a reality?
Discuss the statement: Young people are the invisible side of homelessness in Australia. Explore what this statement means in relation to the statistics, types of homelessness and causes of youth homelessness.
Activity 2: What legislation do we have to support social problems like youth homelessness?
In small groups of three (3), EXPLORE local, state and national legislation dealing with social problems such as youth homelessness. Each student explores the legislation at a level (e.g. Local, State, National).
Answer the questions:
Do laws exist?
When were these laws created?
How are they enacted?
Homelessness Australia resource - http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/index.php/about-homelessness/doing-a-project-on-homelessness
Activity 3: Use your voice, and write a letter to an MP
Your teacher will ask you to write a letter to your local member of Parliament or other government representatives sharing your learnings on youth homelessness and providing suggestions for local actions and support that can help homeless youth.
How to write a formal letter - http://auspost.com.au/education/letterwriting/students/business-letters.html
WA Members of Parliament - http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/memblist.nsf/WAllMembers
Before printing your letter, get your teacher to check it, and then print and submit to your class teacher for posting.