News

Young homeless mums need more support to help turn their lives around, says new report

Media Release, Thursday 19 July 2007

Despite the extreme difficulties, becoming a mother can be a turning point which inspires many homeless young women to turn their lives around, says a new report released today (19 July).

But the report warns that young homeless women need more support and access to affordable housing to make a successful transition to motherhood.

The report Opportunity for Change: Young Motherhood and Homelessness by Dr Deborah Keys, from the University of Melbourne, will be launched today at a forum hosted by the Council to Homeless Persons.

The forum will be opened by Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Women and Youth, Tanya Plibersek and attended by over 100 people who will discuss the issue of young motherhood and homelessness.

Deb Tsorbaris, CEO, Council to Homeless Persons said more than 1000 young women with children attended homelessness services in Victoria in the past year.

“This report highlights both the importance of support and housing for young women who are homeless with children and the need for more resources for services to enable and ensure better outcomes,” she said.

“Despite low unemployment and economic prosperity, the number of families with children in Victoria accessing homelessness services has increased by 30 percent over the past five years,” she said.

Dr Keys report documents the experiences of 24 homeless young women in Melbourne aged 17 to 25.

It found that becoming pregnant or having a baby encouraged many disadvantaged young women to make positive changes in their lives – such as giving up drugs, becoming more responsible, ending unsuitable friendships and seeking stable accommodation.

“Many young women, who were previously suicidal and held little hope for the future, now felt they had a reason to live, took care of their health and hoped to build a better future for their children,’’ Dr Keys said.

“Due to the high demand on homelessness services and insufficient supported housing, some young mothers with children ended up living in inappropriate, short-term private accommodation where there was nowhere to cook and for children to play.”

Ms Tsorbaris said that “all governments needed to make a genuine commitment to preventing and eliminating homelessness”.

Dr Keys research was supported by the Telstra Foundation and the Victorian Office of Housing.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

University of Melbourne
Dr Deb Keys
0425 848 174