An unseen crisis is forcing thousands of young people onto couches. But young people like Gracy Thornton, 22, are helping others navigate a resilient future. Picture Dermot Carlin

On April 15, the community gathered for Youth Homelessness Day, a national initiative designed to spark public discussion and drive sustainable solutions for the more than 45,000 young Australians facing housing instability.

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Organised by Project Youth, the event brought together politicians, government officials, and community members to confront the reality that last year alone, 42,763 children and young people under 25 presented to specialist homelessness services across the country.

Youth homelessness is frequently an unseen crisis. Rather than sleeping on the streets, many young people rely on couch surfing, moving between the homes of friends or family. "Couch surfing leaves young people incredibly vulnerable," the organisation said, explaining that without a stable home base, maintaining school attendance or employment becomes nearly impossible.

Sutherland Shire mayor Jack Boyd, right, with young workers at Project Youth. Picture Dermot Carlin

For Project Youth, the demand is overwhelming. Social impact leader Ruby Maloney said the organisation is forced to turn away 958 young people annually. "Our reality is that five young people that come to us to seek housing are turned away. So we only meet 21 per cent of referrals for housing support in our area," she said. "The reality is there would never be enough services... to meet the current need."

Even when crisis beds are available, the path forward is blocked by a brutal rental market. With 76 beds across Sutherland Shire and St George, Ms Maloney said their refuges often sit at 100 per cent capacity. "The moment they're ready to leave, the median house rental price is almost their full income," she said. "People that are on $80,000 a year can hardly afford to rent in this area, let alone somebody who's receiving a government benefit."

Sutherland Shire mayor Jack Boyd, right, in the podcast studio. Picture Dermot Carlin

Amidst these challenges, the event focused on the power of lived experience. Grace Thornton, 22, shared her journey from being a disengaged 13-year-old to becoming a mother at 17, facing homelessness after a relationship breakdown. "I was sleeping on my mum's lounge with my one-year-old in a very crowded house. That wasn't a feasible option for me," she said. Through Project Youth's social enterprise, Cafe Y, she eventually secured housing and support. "It was a place to call home and something I will never take for granted ever again. I feel like a whole different person. I have so much more hope."

Today, Ms Thornton works as a peer support worker, using her history to help others who are hesitant to seek help. "I want to support young people that are potentially currently in my shoes... you can get down on their level," she said. This emphasis on youth-led advocacy was central to the day's campaign, which featured art and poetry created by young people in housing. "We're really big on ensuring that the lived experience of young people is the voice of our organisation. This is a community responsibility," Ms Maloney said.

Despite the systemic hurdles, she remains inspired by the resilience of those they serve: "Young people show up to get the support they need. They navigate systems that are not designed for young people to navigate. And that just gives me so much hope."