The Australian government has been warned homelessness could soon be on the way up due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 300 community groups have highlighted the risk of tens of thousands of people potentially having nowhere to live because there aren't enough financial subsidies and incentives available to keep them afloat.
The pandemic has highlighted the need for affordable housing, however it will be years before there are enough structures built to accommodate everyone.
Advert
At the moment, 160,000 Australian people are waiting for public or Indigenous housing and that's not including those who might not have a roof over their heads in the months to come.
The risk of a rise in homelessness has only been compounded by the recent federal budget, which revealed $41 million in funding would be cut from homelessness services and social housing in 2021.
Funding is expected to go back to normal levels by 2023-24, however some are worried the drop in money will be hitting at a time when people and industries will be struggling to bounce back from the pandemic.
Advert
But, if you're reading this and wondering how you can help, there is a way.
Australians can double their donation during the month of October if they give their money to Whitelion. The not-for-profit organisation works hard to help young people across Australia who are or at risk of becoming homeless.
Community donations up to $250,000 that are made through their new initiative, dubbed #NoHomeAddress, will be matched by one of the organisation's corporate backers. It's an easy way to make your dollar go further than normal.
Whitelion CEO Hang Vo said in a statement: "This year has presented challenges we have never experienced as a global community and shown how important it is to have a place to call home and an opportunity to work.
Advert
"As Australians we will grapple with the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 so it is now more important than ever to address the issue of youth homelessness and the challenges this brings for forming positive connections and getting a job.
"It is estimated that 44,000 young people under the age of 25 are homeless. Young people entering adulthood with skills and experience that will support lifelong economic independence and reduce welfare dependency will ultimately benefit the Australian economy and society as a whole." continued Hang.
Whitelion is hoping to raise $500,000 through #NoHomeAddress on World Homeless Day, so if you can help out, please do.
If you want to donate, click here.
Featured Image Credit: PA