At Youth Futures, we see the impact of youth homelessness every day.
Young people come to us needing safety, stability, and support, but too often the system simply doesn’t have the capacity to help them.
That’s why we’ve joined with sector leaders across Western Australia to call for urgent government investment to address the growing youth homelessness crisis in Perth.
New data released by the Ending Child and Youth Homelessness Coalition reveals a confronting reality: young people across Perth are sleeping rough, couch surfing, and falling through the cracks of a crisis accommodation system that is critically under-resourced.
Despite operating 41 crisis and transitional accommodation beds across Perth’s metropolitan area, predominantly in the northern suburbs, the demand far exceeds what services like ours can provide. In 2025 alone, we received over 2,500 requests for accommodation from young people we were unable to assist due to capacity constraints.
Our CEO, Michelle Jenkins, says the scale of unmet need would shock many in the community.
“This is a horrific number,” she said on ABC Radio. “In a state as wealthy as Western Australia, young people should not be sleeping rough or being turned away from services designed to support them.”
New data reveals the scale of youth homelessness in Perth
Data released by the coalition confirms what we are seeing on the frontline.
On a single night in March 2026:
- 73 young people were sleeping rough across Perth
- Only three youth crisis beds were available across the entire metropolitan area
The latest By Name List data shows there are currently 320 young people aged 16–25 experiencing homelessness in Perth and Rockingham.
Many of these young people are staying in unstable situations such as couch surfing or temporary accommodation.
Because participation in the By Name List is voluntary, the true number of young people experiencing homelessness is likely even higher.
Why the system is struggling to keep up
The shortage of crisis accommodation is only part of the problem.
Across Western Australia, the housing affordability crisis and shortage of social housing are making it extremely difficult for young people to transition from crisis accommodation into stable housing.
This creates bottlenecks across the youth homelessness system, where young people remain in temporary accommodation longer because there is nowhere safe and affordable for them to move next.
At the same time, the needs of young people seeking support are becoming more complex.
Many young people experiencing homelessness are also navigating:
- Family and domestic violence
- Family breakdown
- Mental health challenges
- Financial hardship
- Housing instability
For frontline workers, the emotional toll of having to turn young people away should not be taken lightly.
As Michelle Jenkins explains:
“The pressure on frontline workers to meet the needs of young people should not be underestimated. There is a significant impact on our staff, and for those young people seeking options, homelessness should not be a choice, and young people deserve better.”
Youth Futures joins sector call for urgent action
We are proud to stand alongside peak bodies Shelter WA, WACOSS and YACWA, and service providers including Vinnies WA, Mission Australia, Indigo Junction, Anglicare WA, Perth Inner City Youth Service, St John of God, and the WA Alliance to End Homelessness in calling on the State Government to commit $150 million to ending child and youth homelessness.
The coalition’s 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission outlines several key priorities that could significantly improve outcomes for young people.
Expand crisis and transitional accommodation
More youth-specific accommodation is urgently needed so young people have immediate access to safe shelter.
Invest in prevention and early intervention
Supporting families and young people earlier can prevent homelessness before it begins.
Create community-led youth service hubs
Place-based hubs would provide co-located support including housing assistance, mental health support, education pathways, employment services, and safe community spaces.
Every young person deserves a safe place to sleep
At Youth Futures, we believe no young person should have to face the night without a safe place to go.
Young people deserve stability.
They deserve safety.
They deserve the opportunity to build a safe and hopeful future.
The evidence is clear. The sector is united. And the time for action is now.
We are urging the Western Australian Government to respond to this data with the urgency it demands.
Media Coverage:
Radio Interview with ABC Listen Here
ABC News Article - Read Here
