The Fremantle Foundation has recognised Youth Homelessness Day with a $40,000 donation to St Patrick’s Community Support Centre.

It will be used to create a Youth Relief Fund, which will provide emergency relief services to young people experiencing homelessness.

In partnership with Youth Futures, St Pat’s already provides housing and support for homeless people aged 15 to 25 in the south metro region.

“In an ideal society parents or family should be the ones caring for you, but many young people don’t have that support,” says Bryden, a St Pat’s youth housing support worker.

• St Pat’s (below) has received a funding boost to help young homeless people in the south metro region.

“It’s not a choice, they’re not naughty kids. For many young people they’ve had to leave home because it’s not safe.”

The main driver of homelessness among children and young people is family and domestic violence, but youth-specific funding is limited and demand is high.

Youth case worker Annie says young people often face extra challenges such as age discrimination when it comes to securing housing. 

“There’s a lot of bias towards young people,” she says.

There’s an expectation that even when you’re independent that your parents will act as a guarantor on any loans, for a car or house.

“And if you’ve got a young person going for a private rental, who’s got the income to meet repayments, and they’re up against a 30-40 year old then the landlord or agent is going to choose the older person instead.”

The number of WA children living in poverty has increased by 21,000 since 2022, with an estimated 92,000 children living in poverty at the end of 2024. 

“Often what young people need is connection. You need a community, you need those informal supports,” Bryden noted.

“Until someone finds a community, if I can be a kind person…give them support and help them for a little bit, then I’ve made a difference.” 

Youth Homelessness Day is held every year on the third Wednesday of April. It highlights the resilience of young people affected by homelessness.

For more than 50 years, St Pat’s has provided emergency accommodation and shelter to the homeless and disadvantaged in the south metro region.

Its Community Support Centre is located on Queen Victoria Street in Fremantle.

St Pat’s are undertaking a $12M upgrade of their facilities, including the construction of 28 new self-contained apartments, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

To donate or find out more go to stpats.com.au.