Youth Homelessness Matters Day

Pathfinders to Host Event in Armidale for Youth Homelessness Matters Day 2026

Pathfinders will host a community awareness event at Armidale Central Plaza on Wednesday 15 April 2026 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, as part of this year’s Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD).

The event will bring together local services and the community to shine a light on the growing issue of youth homelessness and to encourage action at both a community and national level.

Youth homelessness remains one of the most pressing social issues in Australia. Young people continue to experience some of the highest and most severe rates of homelessness of any age group, and the situation is worsening. Recent data from the 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare highlights the scale of the challenge, there are currently no rental properties affordable for a young person on Youth Allowance anywhere in Australia.

For many young people who can’t safely stay at home or access affordable housing, this means ending up in unsafe and unstable situations, often hidden from view.

Pathfinders’ Youth Homelessness Support Services in Armidale support young people aged 16–24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those leaving care or fleeing domestic and family violence. With crisis accommodation and ongoing support, Pathfinders helps young people find stability and take steps toward independence.

As part of this year’s campaign, Pathfinders is encouraging the community to get involved in raising awareness and supporting young people experiencing homelessness.

“This year is about making youth homelessness visible and bringing the community together to be part of the solution,” said Karina Wight, Pathfinders Armidale SHS Coordinator. “The current housing system is not working for young people, and without targeted action, too many will continue to fall through the cracks.”

Pathfinders encourages everyone in the Armidale community to come down and stand alongside young people doing it tough.