WA Budget 2025: a step forward but not far enough for young people at risk of homelessness
Michelle Jenkins - CEO, Youth Futures WA
We welcome the State Government’s $20.4 million allocation for homelessness outreach and services, and the Build to Rent Kickstart Fund, but it’s not enough to prevent and end youth homelessness across our entire state.
Rising domestic and family violence is forcing more young people onto the streets, not just in the south, but across Perth’s northern suburbs too - our TINOCA and Djinda services are at capacity and beds are in constant demand. Young people need more than a bed, they need trauma-informed care, early intervention, and real, wraparound support.
Short-term fixes aren’t enough. We need a bold, statewide shift that delivers real, lasting change for young people at risk of homelessness.
The demand is urgent, the solutions are clear, and the time to act is now. With the right investment, we can break the cycle and give WA’s young people the future they deserve.
We urge the State to reflect this in future funding decisions.