Youth homelessness charity reports 95 percent jump in referrals

Kick Back, a youth charity based in Auckland, recorded a 95 percent increase in referrals over the past year. The organization released its second 'State of the Street' report on Wednesday. The data shows 73 percent of young people using the service are currently sleeping rough or couch surfing. This figure marks a sharp rise from the 44 percent reported in the charity's previous assessment.

The report identifies family breakdown as a leading cause of youth homelessness. Additionally, 31 percent of respondents indicated they suffered from violence or abuse, or left home because they felt unsafe. The findings suggest the crisis has expanded to include primary school-aged children. Kick Back general manager Aaron Hendrey stated the surge represents a real sign of the scale of the crisis and how much the situation is getting worse.

Frankie, a client in his early 20s, became homeless when he was 11 years old. He said he lost his father at that age and was placed in different foster homes by Oranga Tamariki. Frankie said he was picked on and felt driven to commit suicide, so he ran away to the streets. He lived in places like cemeteries until he was 21, when he connected with Kick Back. He is now part of the organization's whanau and works to help other young people.

Frankie expressed a desire for the government to build more houses for youth. He said he wants to yell at the prime minister to make more housing for people on the streets. He described feeling heartbroken when he sees young people on the streets who are as young as he was. He noted that the government seems to be trying to make them grow up faster, even though they are still kids.

Anita, who celebrated her 23rd birthday at the youth hub, moved to the streets because she felt she could not stay at home. She said she was in and out of lodges for a time. She described the city as bad for young kids to live around homeless populations due to the danger of the environment. She said she would rather house youth because she does not want them to die young. Anita feels fortunate to have finally found secure accommodation.

The report outlines 12 recommendations for ending youth homelessness. These include introducing duty-to-assist legislation and returning access to benefits for 18 and 19 year olds. The organization also recommends developing a national strategy to end youth homelessness. The report was released outside the Kick Back hub on Karangahape Rd, where staff assisted young people arriving on the sidewalk with towels, soap, and donated clothes.

Kick Back has urged the government to act on the findings. The charity continues to provide emergency motel accommodation and basic needs to young people in the area. The next step involves implementing the policy recommendations outlined in the 'State of the Streets' report to address the rising number of referrals.