Advocating for Change: WACOSS, Youth Futures and the Push for Youth Homelessness Action
A conversation between sector leaders Louise Giolitto, CEO WACOSS and Michelle Jenkins, CEO Youth Futures
In the lead-up to Homelessness Week 2025, Youth Futures CEO Michelle Jenkins and WACOSS CEO Louise Giolitto sat down to discuss the urgent need for stronger advocacy and targeted support for young people experiencing homelessness in Western Australia.
Their conversation, part of our broader series spotlighting sector leaders, explored the intersection of on-the-ground service delivery and high-level policy work, especially as both organisations prepare for budget advocacy and strategic planning.
“We're on the ground seeing youth homelessness from one angle,” said Michelle, “but WACOSS has a different view, seeing broader systemic patterns. This is about finding the common threads that help strengthen our collective advocacy.”
Louise highlighted that while the Cook government’s Housing First approach has had a positive impact, it often overlooks young people. “There hasn’t been a real focus on youth in the current strategies,” she said. “Homelessness looks very different for young people and so do the long-term impacts.”
The discussion acknowledged the increasing need to spotlight youth homelessness as not just a housing issue, but a broader cost-of-living challenge. Louise shared examples of WACOSS's recent advocacy efforts.
“We pushed for free public transport for all young people. While we didn’t get that, we did secure a one-zone fare cap, no matter how far they live from the city. And we’re continuing to push for breakfast and lunch programs in high schools.”
Michelle pointed out the pressure frontline services face when asked to go beyond core delivery. “You get so focused on supporting young people day to day, that developing campaigns or messaging takes extra resources you just don’t have.”
Louise echoed this, referencing the work of Indigo Junction and Mission Australia, who are advocating for a youth-specific Housing First model. “They’re doing fantastic work, but it’s on top of their existing roles. We’re looking at how WACOSS can help tap into resources and bring the broader youth homelessness sector together to support that campaign.”
Both leaders also acknowledged the need to better support LGBTQIA+ young people, who are overrepresented in youth homelessness statistics. “We’re not putting enough energy into this,” Louise said. “And I mean ‘we’ as in all of us - communities, government, the sector.”
Through shared advocacy, thought leadership, and sector-wide collaboration, organisations like Youth Futures and WACOSS are working to elevate the voices of young people and push for long-overdue change at both community and government levels.