Caitlan’s Journey: Homeless at 11 Amid Ongoing Child Homelessness Crisis
Caitlan’s story is a powerful testament to the ongoing child homelessness crisis in Australia. At just 11 years old, she became homeless while preparing to transition to high school. Faced with this harsh reality, school became her only source of stability and safety.
Caitlan’s Experience with Homelessness
Throughout her journey, Caitlan grappled with profound feelings of insecurity and shame. “I would beg to sleep on friends’ couches and try to keep myself invisible,” she shared. Despite finding refuge at school, she felt unable to disclose her situation to anyone.
Child Poverty in Western Australia
Recent statistics reveal a significant rise in child poverty within Western Australia (WA). Over the past decade, rates of child poverty have doubled. Experts are urging the government to enhance crisis accommodation to address this alarming trend.
Support for Homeless Children
- As of 2025, 11,900 unaccompanied children and young people aged 12 to 24 received support from specialized homelessness services in Australia.
- Western Australia has the highest rate of individuals turned away from homelessness services.
- On any given day, around 830 children and young people receive assistance in WA, marking a 17% increase from the previous year.
- The average daily unmet requests for assistance in WA is 96.
Health Implications of Homelessness
Research in WA indicates a troubling connection between homelessness and poor health outcomes. Individuals lacking secure housing may have life expectancies over 30 years lower than their housed peers. Caitlan herself experienced homelessness for four years, and during that time, she attended school for only one year.
Call for Action
A coalition of support organizations and young advocates is lobbying the WA government to tackle youth homelessness. They are requesting a $150 million investment in the upcoming state budget to address this critical issue.
Kylie Wallace, CEO of the Youth Affairs Council of WA, stresses the urgency of the situation. “For every crisis bed available each night in Perth, 69 children and young people are competing for that one bed,” she noted. “Housing stability is essential for education and future opportunities.”
Government Response
WA’s Minister for Homelessness, Matthew Swinbourn, expressed the state government’s commitment to addressing homelessness. He emphasized the importance of supporting young people facing homelessness to prevent future crisis situations.
According to Swinbourn, the government is in the midst of a 10-year homelessness strategy and will soon unveil a new five-year action plan. He echoed the sentiment of urgency expressed by advocates, asserting that without action, the extent of youth homelessness in WA will continue to worsen.
Caitlan’s experience highlights the plight of many young Australians. The crisis of child homelessness demands immediate attention and sustained efforts from both the government and community organizations.
