Adequate housing is a fundamental human right. Quality housing is proven to have positive psychological and psychosocial impacts as well as enhancing independence and self-agency. Anglicare believes that every young person deserves to come home to a positive living environment. An environment where they know they’re cared for and where they feel safe and supported.
Recent data shows that nearly a quarter of Australians experiencing homelessness are aged between 12 and 24. Young people can become homeless for any number of reasons. They include family breakdown, fleeing domestic violence, mental health issues, or housing affordability.
Cherice’s experience with homelessness
When Cherice was 16, she became homeless. She was forced to move out of her father’s house. Her mother was incarcerated soon after, leaving her on her own, without support and trying to juggle her education and work. At the time, Cherice was at school and working two jobs but was unable to afford rent.
With nowhere else to go, Cherice turned to Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Youth Homelessness Service at Mount Gravatt and was provided with emergency accommodation and 24-hour access to youth workers who were able to equip her with practical skills and emotional support.
With some help from the Anglicare team, Cherice was able to continue working two jobs and focus on completing her schooling.
Like most young people in her situation, Cherice was experiencing some mental health challenges.
“At times, I didn’t know whether I’d get through it. But I’m a pretty task focused person. So, with some help from Anglicare and my school reconnect worker, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other,” she explained.
After some time in emergency accommodation, Cherice moved into our transitional accommodation home in Carina Heights. Her support team continued to help her with completing schooling and she began studying community service work.
During her time in transitional accommodation, Cherice was hospitalised for some mental health challenges that she was experiencing. She explained that the care she experienced from the hospital’s nursing team was what inspired her to change her study pathway and follow a nursing degree.
Cherice is now a registered nurse in a major southeast Queensland hospital and lives independently with her dog, Sophie. “I now live in a small, two-bedroom unit and am very independent and love living by myself…I’m really loving life and I’m very content,” she said.
A voice for change
Although it’s been some years since Cherice was supported through our services to lead the life she lives today, Cherice continues to advocate for our services and other young people who continue to experience housing challenges.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Anglicare. Without their support and guidance, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study, to buy a car, to get braces, to have my own unit. All of the things that I wanted to do but couldn’t without their support.”
We know that with stable housing and the right support network, young people can positively change their life trajectory. Giving them opportunities for employment, education, and long-term housing.