The Wellspring

The National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness is the first independent inquiry into youth homelessness since the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission inquiry completed by Commissioner Brian Burdekin (”Our Homeless Children”) in 1989.

With some 33,000 homeless young people in Australia without a safe place to call home each night, the current inquiry is examining why youth homelessness continues to be a major problem in Australia. It will gather evidence on the issue of youth homelessness and seek input from all stakeholders including service providers, government agencies, community organizations and homeless young people.

The inquiry is underway with first round hearings already held in Hobart, Townsville, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Geelong, Warrnambool and Wagga Wagga. If you missed the hearings, you can still participate by sending in a written submission or by doing an on-line submission via the Commission’s website. The Commission would particularly like to hear from young Australians (12 - 25 years old) themselves who have been, are or at risk of homelessness to have a say.

For further information on the Inquiry and on ways to participate, see http://www.nyc.net.au/.

Submissions close 15 June, 2007.