Central Coast Council has presented a very special installation in Kibble Park to mark Youth Homelessness Matters Day on April 20.
The 100 little houses installation aims to raise awareness of the need for affordable housing and will be in place until April 23.
It comprises 100 little lantern houses, made from sustainable materials.
These will illuminate at night using solar powered lights to create a visual spectacle, supported by a display of real-life success stories of young people who have been supported by local services to gain housing.
Administrator, Rik Hart, said it is important that we come together as a community to identify misconceptions associated with homelessness.
“The stories on display at Kibble Park for Youth Homelessness Matters Day will demonstrate how effective, personal support, and safe, affordable housing can dramatically improve a person’s life and create a brighter future,” he said.
“There are many technical, financial and social complexities that need to be worked through to develop a long-term solution for homelessness, which includes the need for more affordable housing here on the Coast.
“The best results for complex issues come when local, state and federal governments, residents and the broader community work together.”
The 100 houses installation and story displays are located beside Parkhouse in Kibble Park.
On any given night on the Central Coast, there can be up to 70 people sleeping rough, but youth homelessness is difficult to measure as many young people are not detected until they present to local support services.
They are often considered as “hidden homeless” – couch surfing or sleeping in a car.
With the cost of purchasing or renting a dwelling on the Central Coast rising rapidly, over 24,000 households in the region are in housing stress, and this is for people that have a place to call home.
Council Acting Director Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard, is calling for the community’s support in the development of more affordable housing locally.
“To reduce the number of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, we need to be supporting and creating more affordable housing,” he said.
“This is especially important for young people who are more likely to be employed in entry level positions, on lower incomes, studying, training or casually employed.
“One of the aims of Council’s Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy (CCA&AHS) is the creation of affordable rental housing, facilitation of affordable and lower cost housing and reducing homelessness.
The Strategy was adopted in April 2019 after extensive community consultation.
Source: Media release, Apr 20. 2022. Central Coast Council