Homelessness

When you think of a homeless person what is the first thing that comes to youre mind?
What is Homelessness?

Definition

-Homelessness: is the condition and societal category of people who lack fixed housing, usually because they cannot afford a regular, safe, and adequate shelter. The term "homelessness" may also include people whose primary nighttime residence is in a homeless shelter, in an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized, or in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. A small number of people choose to be homeless. An estimated 3.4 billion people worldwide are homeless.

1.3 million •The number of homeless youth and youth runaways living on the streets of America.
-20% of homeless children are under the age of five.

• 5,000 •(per year)The number of runaway and homeless youths who die from assault, illness and suicide

-For children and youth identified as homeless by State Departments of Education, 35% lived in shelters, 34% lived doubled up with family or friends and 23% lived in motels or other locations. (FY 2000)

. Does a blanket, a shopping cart, a pack of cigarettes, a bag of food, etc. (the elemental realities of homelessness) somehow fit into a place of remembrance?

How do we convey the depressing mundane realities without abandoning the loftier goals of hope, healing, education, community, peace, etc? Is there a way to acknowledge the stark reality while encouraging a hopeful vision?

Stand up for your self! make noise! Youth noise! voulenteer! there is so much we can do! WE ALL DISERVE TO LIVE IN AN ADEQUATE SAFE HOME!

Contact:
· Crisis Care - Tel: 131611.
· Kids Helpline - Tel: 1800 55 1800.
· Youth Healthline - Tel: 1300 13 17 19.
· Trace-a-Place and Get-a-place, Service to Youth Council Tel: (08) 82118466 or 1800 807 364.
· Your local police station.