#Aotearoa / #NewZealand - Budget 2026: #Rangatahi abandoned as #homelessness hits record levels - youth advocates

by Layla Bailey-McDowell, Māori News Journalist
5/28/2026

"A youth homelessness agency says Budget 2026 has 'abandoned' #Rangatahi experiencing homelessness, as new data shows homelessness in Aotearoa is at its highest level ever.

"Youth housing collective Manaaki Rangatahi pou ārahi (chief executive) Bianca Johanson described the Budget as 'an ivory tower budget', saying young people and #whānau struggling through the #CostOfLiving crisis had been ignored.

" 'I heard [critics] call this the abandonment budget. They have abandoned us and that's how it feels,' Johanson said.

" 'There is just more picking on the poor, making things tougher for those that are already just finding it hard to survive daily."

"It comes as a new report from Community Housing Aotearoa found homelessness had reached its highest recorded level in Aotearoa, with more than half of those experiencing homelessness under the age of 24.
Homelessness reaches highest levels in history, Community Housing Aotearoa report finds

"The report also found Māori made up 28.8 percent of people experiencing homelessness, despite making up 17.1 percent of the population.

"Manaaki Rangatahi Waikato regional connector Danielle Marks said the situation for #Māori experiencing homelessness was "disgusting".

" 'I think first and foremost, it's really disgusting that Māori especially are homeless on their own whenua,' she said."

Read more:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/596674/budget-2026-rangatahi-abandoned-as-homelessness-hits-record-levels-youth-advocates

#AotearoaNews #NewZealandPol #AotearoaPol #MāoriNews #Unhoused #YouthHomelessness #HomelessnessInNewZealand

European Study Finds Lack of Safe Support for Homeless LGBTIQ+ Youth

New study finds many homeless LGBTIQ+ youth under 18 face unsafe homes and support services that don't understand their needs.

#LGBTIQYouth, #YouthHomelessness, #EuropeStudy, #SupportServices, #ChildSafety

https://newsletter.tf/european-study-finds-homeless-lgbtiq-youth-lack-safe-support/

A new European study found that 33% of homeless LGBTIQ+ youth experienced discrimination in support services, highlighting a critical need for better training.

#LGBTIQYouth, #YouthHomelessness, #EuropeStudy, #SupportServices, #ChildSafety

https://newsletter.tf/european-study-finds-homeless-lgbtiq-youth-lack-safe-support/

Today we met with our chosen charity for 2026, CAYSH to take the next steps in our partnership 🤝

Hearing firsthand about their impact on supporting young people facing homelessness across South London was powerful

More to come 💙

#CAYSH #YouthHomelessness #CommunityMatters

Do you care about affordable housing in California?

The California Department of Housing and Community Development is updating the state’s fair housing plan and is holding a community listening session on homelessness on Jan 31, 2024 01:00 PM Pacific

To register: https://hcd-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sYucZbwRRVi-eRQMnThw2w#/registration

#Housing #HousingAffordability #HousingCrisis #Homeless #Homelessness #YouthHomelessness #Equity