In March, the Property Industry Foundation held a series of changemaking Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) Breakfast Forums in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, with industry supporters joining us bright and early to be part of the solution to youth homelessness.
Youth Homelessness Matters Day, held on 15 April, is a national day to raise awareness and drive action for youth homelessness.
Melbourne
The first of three forums supporting YHMD was held at MinterEllison in Melbourne’s CBD on 18 March. Victoria’s leaders in property and construction community joined an illuminating conversation centered around the inequities and potential solutions to youth homelessness.
A conversation between speakers John Macmillan, CEO of Yfoundations, Kate Mills, CEO of the Property Industry Foundation, Kath Sollo of UnLtd and host Matthew Clear, Urbis, highlighted the structural pressures in our housing system, from supply constraints and rental affordability stress, to planning settings and intergenerational inequity.
Most impactful was the personal account of a young person with lived experience of homelessness who bravely shared their story. “Thank you to our industry, for showing up and coming together for a common cause,” said Victorian State Manager Priscilla Heathwood. “With 46,000 young people not having a safe place to sleep, we all have a part to play in the solution to youth homelessness in Australia.”
Brisbane
On 25 March, property and construction supporters gathered at MinterEllison on Brisbane’s waterfront to learn about the issues surrounding youth homelessness in the state, the Foundation’s ongoing building and advocacy projects, and how collaboration can create lasting change for vulnerable young Queenslanders.
Speakers included Rebecca Young, MP, Professor Cameron Parsell from the School of Social Science UQ, and John Macmillan, CEO of Yfoundations who shared insights, challenges and potential solutions to the ongoing issue of youth homelessness. “Our YHMD Breakfast Forum Series brings the property and construction industry into the conversation around youth homelessness in Australia, so they can support the cause as a powerful collective force,” said Antoinette Rusby-Perera, QLD State Manager. “It’s only by working together that we can tackle youth homelessness.”
Sydney
Today, the 31 March, we round up the YHMD series with a forum at Lendlease in Sydney’s Barangaroo precinct. Industry leaders joined a conversation about the fight against youth homelessness across the state and the difference industry collaboration can make to tangible outcomes.
Speakers included Kate Mills, CEO, Property Industry Foundation, John Macmillan, CEO Yfoundations, Kath Sollo, UnLtd, and young people with lived experience – Natasha and Jennifer.
Special guest, the Minister for Youth The Hon. Rose Jackson, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, and Minister for Youth announced the formalisation of an action plan for children and young people as part of the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025–2035.
The youth-focused action plan will establish a dedicated youth homelessness strategy team in 2026, with implementation to follow between 2027 and 2030. The plan will be developed in consultation with a formal advisory group comprising young people with lived experience and homelessness sector representatives, and will draw on collaboration across multiple services to ensure a holistic approach.
“Youth Homelessness Matters Day is about shining a light on the 46,000 young people in Australia that do not have a safe and secure place to sleep,” said Kate Mills. “By spreading industry awareness and starting a conversation, we hope to spur more action to address this crisis.”
