Couch surfing for homeless youth

Hundreds of young people across the City of Moreton Bay are experiencing a form of homelessness many people never see.

They are not sleeping in parks or on the streets. They are moving between friends’ couches, cars or unsafe environments, often without stability or certainty about where they will sleep next.

Chameleon Youth Housing Manager Nicki Kemp says between 600 and 1,000 young people in the region are currently couch surfing.

“It’s that sort of invisible homelessness,” Ms Kemp said.

“We don’t necessarily see it, but it’s happening in our community.”

A simple way to raise awareness

To shine a light on the issue, Chameleon Youth Housing is launching its Couch Surfing campaign from 111 to 19 April, during Youth Week and alongside Youth Homelessness Matters Day on 15 April.

The concept is straightforward. Participants give up the comfort of their own bed for one night and sleep somewhere less comfortable at home, such as the couch or floor, while raising sponsorship from friends, family or colleagues.

“We don’t want people sleeping in parks.

“This is about creating a safe space at home where people can build awareness and raise funds for young people.”

Individuals, families, schools, workplaces and community groups are encouraged to register either on their own or as a team.

Supporting local young people

Funds raised will support Chameleon House and its youth shelter, which provides emergency accommodation and practical life skills support to help young people regain stability. It costs around $70 a night to house a young person.

Young people who access the service are supported with cooking, cleaning, budgeting and everyday living skills, as well as reconnecting with education and other services to help secure longer-term housing.

Growing demand for help

Demand for youth housing support in Moreton Bay continues to rise. 

Chameleon Youth Housing operates a dedicated Queensland Housing Information Platform (QHIP) line, created after staff saw increasing numbers of vulnerable young people struggling to access help. In the past financial year alone, the service responded to more than 2,000 contacts. Read our story about the recent boost to host the initiative.

Ms Kemp said community fundraising initiatives like Couch Surfing play a crucial role in ensuring young people have somewhere safe to turn.

“There are young people in our community who simply don’t know where they’re going to sleep. That’s why community support matters."

How to get involved

The Couch Surfing campaign runs from 13 to 19 April.

To register individually or as a team, or to donate, visit: www.chameleonyouthhousing.org.au/couch-surfing