Housing stress, homelessness and multicultural youth: CMY’s Statewide Forum platforms major stakeholders ahead of national election

On Thursday 13 March, CMY hosted a Statewide Forum on Housing Stress, Homelessness and Multicultural Youth. Foreshadowed by a national election, the event came at a critical time for generating discourse that impacts and shapes policy.

Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, young people across Australia are experiencing housing instability and homelessness at record numbers. Young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds are overrepresented in these figures.

The CMY Forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders concerned by these figures to come together to share knowledge and discuss potential solutions. Across two panels, CMY platformed young people with lived experience, alongside practitioners working in the sector.

Most important to the day’s discussions, were the contributions of speakers and youth advocates, Zara Omar Mohamed and Kaea Te Matariki Takiari. In a candid and emotional address, Mohamed shared her journey and experience as a young migrant, who recently made it to Australia after many years living in Kenya with her family as asylum seekers.

Takiari, a Le Mana Pasifika Youth Ambassador, delivered a stirring and passionate speech about the importance of cultural identity in service delivery and the need to approach young people with patience and understanding. In a display of pride, strength and unity, he performed a Haka alongside Le Mana Pasifika Program Manager, Shannon Bell.

Keynote speaker Sherri Bruinhout, Executive Director of Homes Victoria, set the tone for the day, noting a significant decline in the number of young people from non-English speaking backgrounds presenting to services. Her remarks laid the groundwork for productive dialogue among panellists and attendees, underscoring the need for a collaborative and inclusive approach shaped by diverse voices and expertise.

Joining her and offering another government perspective on the first panel, was Executive Director of the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Gerry Goswell. Goswell shared insights from the Youth Strategy, which supports young people at risk of homelessness, highlighting that 29% of young survey respondents identified housing and homelessness as a top concern.

“How do we make sure that young people receive the supports that they need, at the time they need it?” Goswell asked attendees.

Kate Colvin, Chief Executive Officer of Homelessness Australia and Shorna Moore, Policy Director at Melbourne City Mission (MCM), also joined the panel. Widely considered as experts in the space, Moore and Colvin shared their work and progress on the Hometime Campaign, a national collation of organisations calling for housing policy reform.

Across the two panels, CMY also welcomed Sarah Ibrahimi from Launch Housing, Douschka Dobson from MCM, Rikki Morgan from Orygen alongside CMY’s Kenyatta Dei Wal, Program Manager of two South Sudanese Community Support Groups.

The Forum provided an opportunity for CMY to build the sector’s knowledge and understanding of multicultural youth experiences. By sharing our knowledgeand strengthening collaboration, we hope to collectively influence policy and generate innovative solutions.

“The Forum was an important and timely event and we were motivated by how many people turned up to contribute to the conversation,” said Carmel Guerra OAM, CMY’s Chief Executive Officer.

“It’s important that we amplify the voices of young multicultural people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness in Victoria. With so much advocacy in the space already, they need to be heard at this important time or risk being left out of a conversation that disproportionately affects them,” she said.

CMY is currently undertaking research into the extent and nature of housing stress and homelessness facing young Victorians from multicultural backgrounds and their families. The Forum generated important insights that will inform this research, due to be released mid-2025, highlighting key gaps and sector specific recommendations for future action.