Youth Homelessness Is A Crisis That Triggers So Many Others. Not The Least Of These Is A Health Crisis!
'Youth Homelessness is an escalating crisis. But it's more than that, it's also a manufactured crisis, a result of political decisions our elected leaders have made to choose politics over people, to value the protection of a housing system that serves the wealthy, over a one which honours and protects the very basic human needs of our children and our young people!' says Aaron Hendry, Kick Back's co-founder and General manager.
Recent decisions by the Government to make access to Emergency Housing more difficult, to increase the use of sanctions on young people experiencing poverty, and to divert funding into building a prison system for children (through the Government's Boot Camp project) instead of investing in housing children and young people in the community, have increased the risk and harm of homelessness for tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa.
Kick Back's young people are calling for urgent action to respond to this escalating crisis. Troy one of Kick Back's young Rangatira warns that homelessness in his community is increasing. 'This year alone I've noticed more young people on the street than older people. I am worried about both young people and older people on the street this winter because it is going to end up being one of the coldest winters so far.'
Troy is concerned that if the Government does not act urgently to respond to this crisis that the consequences could be fatal.
"I am worried that during winter the rangatahi that live on the streets or close to the streets will possibly end up sick, in hospital or dead.' Warns Troy, 'I worry about this because I understand how it feels to freeze on the streets. I've slept rough before, quite a few times, I used to sleep on the streets and in parks during winter, this had a huge impact on my health, and I was sick for most of the winter.'
Frankie, another of Kick Back's young leaders is warning that the health impact on a young person experiencing homelessness over winter can be significant.
"I am worried about young people getting hyperthermia, (sleeping rough in winter) can cause a dangerous drop in body temperatures, your temperature can drop out of nowhere. I've experienced homelessness in winter, sometimes I couldn't get out of bed in the morning because my leg was frozen. At that time, I was sleeping in the park, I was 14 or 15, I used to always get sick, it made it hard for me to breath.'
In the face of this crisis, Kick Back's rangatahi Rangatira are demanding urgent action from the Government, yet they are also not sitting back and waiting for change, they are Kicking Back and Making that Change happen themselves!
'I'm worried about young people not having warm stuff or a place to keep themselves warm this winter. Ending Homelessness is not about just about providing housing, it's also about getting our people safe.' Shares Frankie, 'I just want to end homelessness, so that our people can be healthy and safe!'
This winter Kick Back's young leaders are hosting several Winter Wellness events for young people over July. The first was on the 2nd July, and subsequent events are planned on the 9th and 16th of July. Hosted at The Front Door, Kick Back's drop in and outreach service for rangatahi experiencing homelessness, these Winter Wellness events are about connecting young people to the support, resources and information they need to prepare themselves for winter.
Frankie and Troy are inviting young people to drop into The Front Door, 307 K'rd, Auckland Central, between 11-4pm on the 9th and 16th of July to access Kai, immunisations, get connected to mental health and addiction services, receive support and advocacy for housing, access dental support, health services and much more.
'Through the Winter Wellness event I'm trying to get our people healthy and safe,' shares Frankie 'This event is about supporting them to get their flu shots, getting them help to access housing, warm stuff, like clothes, food, socks, and beanies. and blankets and pillows.'
Troy, who is using his developing love of photography to inspire hope and highlight the event, hopes the Winter Wellness Kaupapa will make a difference for his community. 'I am doing the Winter Wellness project because I want to help, I don't want to just sit around waiting for handouts, I want to be out there making a difference.'
Kick Back's rangatahi are organizing to do their part in service to their community, yet they are also clear that the Government has a responsibility to act.
Frankie believes the Government needs to invest in Youth Specific Immediate Housing services for young people to replace motel use for emergency housing and prevent young people from sleeping on the street. "The Government should build more places so that all young people experiencing homelessness can get a home for the winter. Getting sick every month, every two weeks, it's annoying. The shelter I have is cold, and at times it can get mouldy, and if you're on the street or in a tent, sometimes your clothes get mouldy.'
Frankie is also calling on the Government to review their Kainga Ora Policy which has led to increased evictions from Public Housing and believes the Government needs to invest in a long-term strategy to ensure young people can gain access to safe and stable housing. 'The Government needs to build more public housing, and stop kicking innocent people out of public housing, stop funding landlords, fund homes!'
Troy's message is also clear. He is calling on the Government to adopt Duty to Assist Legislation in order to prevent young people from being denied housing and emergency support when they reach out to W&I for help, 'I want people to understand that there are people on the streets that could be dying. And things need to change. I want to change the law, so the Government is obligated to help everyone, not just who they select, I want them to see the impact they (the Government) is having on everyone on the streets. The negative impacts of not getting any assistance is people getting sick, or worse... when they have the money and the power to do something, and refuse, that is unfair and cruel.'
If you are a young person experiencing homelessness this winter, Kick Back's rangatahi are inviting you to join us at The Front Door for our Winter Wellness Project, Wednesday 9th & 16th, 11am-4pm.
'No child or young person should be experiencing homelessness this winter! If you are a young person experiencing homelessness this winter come to The Front Door. Kick Back is here to help.' Shares Aaron.
Troy's message for our community is this. 'I hope the Winter Wellness project will keep them safe, warm and fed during winter. I want our community to know that they are loved, they matter, and they are important! And that they are heard!'
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