Press Coverage - ABC - Illawarra (N.S.W.)
27 March 2007
ABC Radio
© ABC 2007
High youth jobless rate seen as contributing to homelessness
An Illawarra-based social welfare advocate says the region's high unemployment rate among young people is one of the main factors leading to youth homelessness.
The chief executive officer of Southern Youth and Family Services, Narelle Clay, is one of four commissioners heading the National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness.
She says many young people in the Illawarra are struggling to find enough work to support themselves.
"People, particularly disadvantaged young people, are having a very hard time entering the permanent work positions ... some of them do get casual work, some of them get work experience, some of them might get a bit of part-time work for a period, but it's very difficult for them to get into that secure employment," she said.