We have to stop ignoring youth homelessness

A petition was presented to Parliament today demanding action on youth homelessness by advocacy collective Manaaki Rangatahi.

The petition, received by Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Marama Davidson, asked for additional funding for youth specific emergency housing - there are currently only 200 placements for young people across the country.

The collective believe that there is no justification for young people experiencing homelessness in Aotearoa and that a plan needs to be developed to end youth homelessness completely.

“I hope that our people in power can actually recognise and identify that this is a problem in Aotearoa. And that they can do something about it ASAP.”

More stories:

Growing up Black and Brazilian in Gisborne

Watch the third episode of Conversations With My Immigrant Parents Season 3 now.

Auckland Grammar won’t let students buy single tickets to school ball

“It is essential to recognise that not all students have partners,” a student says.

Non-binary people on why their pronouns matter

“My pronouns are one of the ways I feel most myself, so it hurts [when people ignore them]”.