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Why do they become homeless?

There are lots of reasons: the break-up of a marriage or relationship; the loss of a job leading to the repossession of a home or inability to pay the rent; an addiction or abuse of drugs, either prescribed or illegal; alcohol or even gambling.
People may become homeless because of a mental illness, although as with drug or alcohol abuse, some people become unwell or develop a problem because they have become homeless. People who have served in the armed forces often find it impossible to cope with civilian life.
Others may be running away from an abusive relationship.
It could happen to any one of us. Homeless people come from all walks of life and social backgrounds.
Not all of them sleep rough on the streets, but are insecurely housed, living in bed & breakfast, short stay hostels or sleeping on friends’ floors.
Helping people who have become homeless is not always easy. One thing that surprises many who are new to working with homeless people is that some refuse any help that is offered. This can be for a number of reasons. It may be because that person was in care and was abused or had their trust shattered in some other way, or it may be because they have built up relations with other homeless people. Once such relationships are established it can be very hard to break away from this network and seek help with re-housing.
It can be a painstaking and long process to get a homeless person to even come into the centre and use the primary services provided, let alone the specialist services offered, such as health and housing. Each step forward, no matter how small, is what The Passage is here for; to offer help, support and encouragement, in the hope of transforming lives.

Why youth people become homeless?

It has been estimated that the youth homeless population is anywhere between 15,000 to 22,000 nationally. A range of factors cause young people's homelessness and these factors occur at both the individual level and at the broader social and economic level, including:
Family conflict or breakdown - This can be exacerbated by issues of drug or alcohol dependence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, lack of parental support, sexual preference, ill health or pregnancy. The breakdown of family support is proven to impact substantially on the capacity of a young person to transition to independent living.
Lack of work or educational opportunities - The loss of traditional employment opportunities for people who have limited education has meant that unemployment levels for youth are substantially higher than for any other section of the community. Without qualifications, young people are at a distinct disadvantage in finding employment in an increasingly competitive labour market. For many young people, entering employment is a significant step in entering adulthood and independence. Research on young people leaving care has shown that 12 months after discharge 44 per cent of this group were unemployed, compared with 27 per cent amongst 15 -19 year olds in the general community. Without appropriate income, young people are at greater risk of homelessness.
Drug and alcohol dependency - The Drug Policy Expert Committee has reported that increasing numbers of youth are engaging in illicit drug use at early ages. The trend for young people to begin using drugs at an earlier age will have long term impacts on family support, health, housing, wider support systems and capacity to maintain education and obtain employment.
Severe economic hardship while facing independence - Young people often lack a sufficient or sustainable income necessary to access or maintain appropriate housing. Despite little difference in housing and living costs for a person living independently at any age, Commonwealth income support varies considerably between persons under the age of 18 and those over 18.