Recent data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has revealed the shocking reality of child and youth homelessness in Australia. The number of unaccompanied children (under 18) seeking help from specialist homelessness services (SHS) has risen to 13,300 in the past year alone.

These figures have prompted widespread media attention, with Anchor contributing insights in the Star Mail newspaper to highlight the urgent need for solutions.

What the numbers tell us

At Anchor, our own service data shows the situation is worsening for children and young people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne’s east and across Victoria.

• In 2023, our homelessness services supported 142 children under 18.

• In 2024, this number rose to 174 young people.

• In just the first six months of 2025, Anchor has already worked with 107 unaccompanied minors.

These figures reflect what we see every day – youth homelessness is growing, and more young people are in crisis without the safe and stable housing they need.

What Anchor is calling for

Anchor continues to advocate strongly for a dedicated Victorian Youth Homelessness Strategy. Children and young people experiencing homelessness face unique challenges, and they need solutions designed with their circumstances in mind.

We are proud to be a signatory to the Home Time campaign, a national initiative pushing for urgent government action. The campaign is calling for:

• 15,000 dedicated youth tenancies across Australia for 16–24 year olds.

• Linked support services to help young people achieve their goals and transition to independence.

• Action to address the rental gap, ensuring housing providers and landlords can continue to offer tenancies to young people who have experienced homelessness.

👉 Learn more about the Home Time campaign

Working together to prevent youth homelessness

Beyond housing, Anchor is focused on strengthening community service integration. Too often, young people fall through the cracks between different systems – education, health, justice, and child protection. By working across sectors and in partnership with local organisations, we aim to create pathways out of homelessness and prevent children from entering homelessness in the first place.

Why this matters

Every child and young person deserves the right to a safe home, stability, and the opportunity to thrive. Anchor will continue to use our voice in the media and in advocacy to push for real solutions to youth homelessness in Victoria and beyond.