Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia

About YACWA:

The Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) is the peak non-government youth organisation in Western Australia. We operate primarily as a human rights organisation that seeks to address the exclusion of young people in a rapidly changing society.

Our continued vision for Western Australia is one that celebrates and engages young people in all aspects of the community. Our role is to strengthen the trust, cooperation, collaboration; professionalism and voice of the non-government youth service sector to better serve the young people of Western Australia.

Purpose: 

YACWA aims to provide a united, independent and active advocate for the non-government youth sector and young people that is both supported and respected by the sector and the wider community. Focusing on young people’s varied needs at the local, State and Federal Government level, YACWA works to engender and enhance positive community attitudes towards young people.

YACWA provides a voice and acts as a role model for the definition and demonstration of youth participation. Our work is governed by four guiding principles of – respect, equity, integrity and the celebration of diversity.

About The Alliance to End Homelessness:

Across the world, many communities, cities, and states have committed to ending homelessness and they are winning. We can do the same here in Western Australia, and there is a ten-year strategy to guide us.

The WA Alliance To End Homelessness is comprised of a group of individuals and organisations that have come together to end homelessness in Western Australia.

Following an 18-month community campaign, the Alliance developed the WA Strategy to End Homelessness, collectively developed by representatives from homelessness services, people experiencing homelessness, service funders, and members of our community.

This Strategy seeks to provide a framework to inform the process of ending homelessness, and providing signposts for action. It is intended to act as a blueprint - replicable in terms of processes, and guidance in terms of approach. 

The Alliance encourages other communities and stakeholders to use the Strategy, to align and create a combined effort across Western Australia to reach the goal of ending homelessness by 2028.

Our plan includes 5 key focus areas:

1.    Housing - ensure adequate and affordable housing

2.    Prevention - focus on prevention and early intervention

3.    Strong and Coordinated Approach - no 'wrong-door system'

4.    Data, Research and Targets - improve data and research, and set clear targets

5.   Build Community Capacity - never about us, without us