This article was first published in eMessenger in February 2021.
Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/428193/homeless-youth-not-able-to-get-the-support-they-need
Dan[1] was diagnosed with ADHD at a very early age and was prescribed medication. His mother would fill the prescription but then sell the tablets to bring more income into the household. Relationships were strained within the family and Dan left home at the age of 16 and had a major falling out with his mother because he took his latest prescription with him. Dan travelled as far away from his family as possible while still remaining in the same island. In addition to ADHD, Dan also has anxiety and depression and struggled to find accommodation and employment. Dan ended up living on the street as he could not find accommodation. As Dan was under 18, he could not sign a tenancy agreement, even if he found an available flat. He tried to access services specialising in youth housing but was told all the emergency accommodation for youth was full to capacity.
If Dan was able to get emergency accommodation, it is likely that he would have been placed in a motel. He would have a place to sleep and live, but living in a motel is not necessarily safe and being young Dan is vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and harassment. Young people like Dan need wrap around support services to teach life skills that he has not been taught, to encourage self-sufficiency and to get involved in the community they live in.
Supporting positive youth development builds a strong future not just for the individual involved but also for the wider community.
Lifewise, the Methodist Mission’s social services arm in Auckland provides youth housing and support and they report increasing demand for support to young people experiencing homelessness.
Methodist Mission Southern in Dunedin also report their youth housing service is at full capacity.
We know the root causes of homelessness include poverty and lack of affordable, safe and secure housing. What can we do as a church about this? Is it our role as members of the Methodist Church of New Zealand – Te Hāhi o Weteriana to do anything about this?
What do we as a church care about? What do we pray for? How can we work together to bring about change for the better? How can we stand by and do nothing? What should we be doing to continue our strong history of social justice?
2020 gave us an opportunity to consider what is REALLY important to us. This 2020 vision should shape how we respond to things in the future.
How should we respond to youth homelessness? What should we be doing? How can we use the strength of our Connexion to bring about a better future?
The Housing Community of Practice is sharing ideas, resources, building new houses, and working for change. In fact, outside my office window there is construction of four accessible units for social housing being undertaken by the Christchurch Methodist Mission. Wesley Community Action has finished construction of 25 houses and is now tenanting them with people from the social housing register.
The Working Group to increase benefit and abatement rates is also working for changes to ensure people have enough money to live with dignity.
If you would like more information about how you join the Housing Community of Practice, or join the campaign workgroup, or want to support your local Methodist Mission, please feel free to contact me.
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator
[1] Name changed to protect privacy.
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