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December 14, 2015
Equity issue for homeless youth petition
Waatea Team
Posted On December 14, 2015
Youth advocates hope the delivery of a petition calling for a rise in the age the state stops paying for children in care will mean a change in a policy that leaves many vulnerable young people on the streets.
Moira Lawler from Lifewise Trust says it’s an anomaly that Child, Youth and Family care ceases when young people turn 17, when they aren’t old enough to legally sign a lease, get a bank loan or access many of the services they need to live independently.
She says it’s a problem which affects a disproportionate number of Maori youth, who often end up homeless.
The organisations which promoted the petition asked for the age to be raised to 21 because not only is it in line with other western countries but it reflects today’s economic and social realities.
"Most parents are aware young people are independent more slowly with our economy, with the cost of education, and in fact the average age of leaving home in New Zealand currently is 23 so I guess it's an equity issue – if it's ok for our kids to need that sort of support, why are we treating these young people differently," Ms Lawler says.
Petition organisers say the problem affects between 300 and 500 young people a year, so a fix should not have a great effect of the department’s budget.
FULL INTERVIEW: MOIRA LAWLER
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