On Background: Solving youth homelessness

Housing affordability has been one of the biggest political issues over the last two years since inflation, mortgage rates and rental prices started spiralling. The plight of those trying to buy a home or struggling to pay the rent has focused the attention of many politicians. But what about those who don’t have a roof over their head at all? The housing crisis has forced some – even with full-time jobs – to sleep in their cars or in tents in local parks. And then there are kids with low or no income at all who just can’t stay at home for various reasons but are left couch surfing, or sleeping rough – at a critical time when they should be supported and learning life skills. So what happens when you’re homeless? Where do you turn? And what can actually help turn your life around? David Speers speaks to Brea Dorsett and Tyrah Chan-Hampton, both of whom are Youth Ambassadors for Foyer Foundation – an organisation that helped change their lives. Insiders: On Background digs a little deeper into an issue that will be covered on the show each week with an expert to better understand the debates dominating politics.