Young Adult Health
Visit Website
Search
Home › Health Topics › Our Society > 
Search Topics
GO


Related Topics

Housing/homelessness

Housing; homelessness; youth; health; youth health; tobacco; homeless; street; big; issue; home; accommodation; shelter; hotel; sexual; abuse; rape;;

Contents

There may be a time when you find you have got nowhere to live. You might have been "kicked out" of home or left for your own reasons. Homelessness can have an effect on physical and emotional health. Finding yourself homeless can leave you feeling confused, hopeless, alone and like "I don't belong".  If you are homeless, it can be helpful to get support from someone you trust.

Homelessness

Homelessness is basically when you have nowhere stable, safe, decent and affordable to live. This can be lots of different situations.

  • You are sleeping "on the streets" in a park, on the beach etc - "roughing it".
  • Sleeping on the floor at your friends' houses, 'couch surfing'.
  • Staying in accommodation for a short time ie somewhere to "tide you over" like night shelters, hostels, hotels etc.
  • Overcrowded, poor or not acceptable housing conditions.

housing

What happens?

There are many reasons why people might find themselves homeless:

  • Getting kicked out after a fight - things "blow up" and you are told to "get out"
  • Running away because of abuse - see our topic Child Abuse 
  • Not feeling safe - see our topics on Violence, or Relationship Violence
  • Not being accepted for who you are - your sexuality (see our topics Coming Out and Diversity and Discrimination)
  • Not being able to afford to stay there
  • Having left a foster family because you didn't like it
  • Losing your job - see our article on Unemployment
  • Not feel comfortable - see our topic on Family Breakdown
  • Having conflict with step-parents - see our topic Step-Families.

Or you may have run away after a family argument and not quite know how to get back.

There are heaps of reasons why someone finds himself or herself without a secure home. Your reason will be unique and your own.

It can be useful to talk to someone you trust or find someone you trust to help you. You don't have to do it alone, there are many places and people who can help find you somewhere safe and secure. People who took the risk to ask for help, or tell someone about their situation have said, "It helped me sort my life out".  Ask around to find the support services where you live.

Getting stable, secure and safe accommodation is the most important thing, then the issues can be sorted out.

Homelessness and health

Being without a secure and safe place to live can put your health at risk. Here are some ways.

  • Your safety could be at risk. To live on the street, in a squat, on the beach, in a park, in large bins etc, your safety may be at risk. You could be vulnerable to violence or other forms of control and manipulation.
  • You could find yourself doing things you don't want to do, because you need to survive. Some people have spoken about stealing, prostitution, lying, break and enter etc. These can put you at risk of trouble with the police and the legal system or can make you more open to hurt by violence, manipulation or control.
  • You can be at higher risk of sexual abuse or rape. Many people stay in accommodation options where they are expected to do sex work for accommodation. You could be attacked by others or by people you know.
  • It can be harder to do Safer Sex, which can lead to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy. It can be harder because you might not care about yourself, other people control you or you don't know where to get free condoms.
  • It can be difficult to have healthy eating habits. This can make you sick. Lack of food can add to feelings of depression, stress, anxiety, lack of energy, poor concentration and a whole range of other things.
  • Some people have felt depression, stress, self-hate or have had thoughts of suicide. It can be a time of feeling hopeless, helpless, out of control, scared, lonely, like "I don't belong", worthless and downright bad. Other's say they're bored, have no motivation, are angry all the time or sleep all day.
  • Drug, tobacco and alcohol use can increase when someone feels fed up and stressed out with life. Many young people say the mix of drugs, tobacco or alcohol and not having anywhere to live can become a vicious circle.

What can I do?

There are a number of things you can do to make your time without a secure home safe and as healthy as possible:

  • It may be helpful, if you can, to approach a friend, grandparent, uncle, aunt or someone you trust and make them aware of your situation. You may be able to stay with them until you are able to make some other arrangements.
  • There are a lot of resources in South Australia. See below.
  • Sometimes after a fight with your parents, or others you have been living with, you might like to try to go home. There are some places that can help you try to do this.
  • Try to find  free services that can help you. Many people don't tend to their health needs or try and get help to gain housing because they don't know where to go or are worried because they can't pay for it.
  • Be aware of your rights when you go to services. They will have a booklet or some document that will list them. If you feel your rights are not respected or you are not treated fairly there are always ways that you can make a complaint.
  • Try your hardest to take some control of your situation. Make your own appointments and make sure you keep them! Having a supportive friend or family member with you can sometimes make this easier.
  • Get information about safer sex, and other safe behaviours.
  • Think about your safety and others that may be with you. Remind yourself you are important and you have the right to feel safe, secure and to live without fear (see our topic on Assertiveness).
  • Food is available at some emergency shelters. It may be useful to contact an emergency service near you.

The Big Issue

The Big Issue is an excellent magazine that is sold in the street. The people who sell the magazine (the vendors) are homeless or unemployed people. Each magazine costs $5 and the vendor gets $2.50 from each sale.

If you want to find out how to become a vendor, or just to learn about the magazine, check their site at http://www.bigissue.org.au

How can I help?

If you know people who have become homeless you might help them by:

  • talking to someone you trust and know who might be able to help
  • letting them talk to you about what has happened - remembering you don't have to solve their problems for them you just need to listen, understand and perhaps share your opinion
  • being open to a range of issues behind why the person has left home or been asked to leave
  • helping them out with somewhere to stay or food - making sure it is respectful of yourself and others
  • taking time to go with them to appointments etc - making sure they are the ones who are in control
  • not take over! - it is important they have responsibility and feel as much in control of their life as possible
  • showing respect, including respect for their choices
  • celebrating their successes with them
  • taking care of yourself - this can be a difficult and draining time for everyone
  • doing some volunteer work in a shelter or another organisation
  • understanding homelessness and reasons for homelessness and spread the word
  • rallying local communities or key decision makers to address homelessness through policies and initiatives.

Resources

South Australia

For emergency accommodation contact a crisis accommodation service close to you. In South Australia you can contact

In Australia you may be able to get a payment or income. Contact Centrelink Ph:.131021, to make an appointment to speak to someone or go to for further information. If you find it hard to approach Centrelink, get support from another service - don't give up.

General

  • Human rights. Human rights covers many very important issues. Human rights are about respect, justice and equality for everyone. This site has heaps of information on the history of human rights, human rights in Australia, and human rights issues around the world:
     http://www.humanrights.gov.au/info_for_students/index.html
back to top

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

Health Topics
Youth Healthline 1300 13 17 19  
Home › Health Topics › Our Society > 

  • Home
    Home
  • Disclaimer
    Disclaimer
  • Copyright
    Copyright
  • Privacy
    Privacy
  • Credits
    Credits
  • Links
    Links
  • Site Map
    Site Map

Last updated: Friday 6 February 2009