World Homeless Day, 10 October, is a reminder that far too many children and young people in Australia live without safety and stability. Across the country, more than 45,000 children and young people don’t have a safe place to call home. Here in Victoria alone, at least 6,000 young people aged 12–24 experience homelessness every night.
At Lighthouse Foundation, we know that homelessness isn’t just about a roof over your head — it’s also about having access to food, care, and a sense of belonging. But right now, the rising cost of living is making it harder than ever to provide nutritious meals for the young people in our care.
Cost of Living and Food Insecurity
Australia is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, and food prices are at the centre of it. The cost of food in Australia increased by 3.2% year-on-year in March 2025. This rise in everyday grocery costs means that even basic items like bread, dairy, and fresh produce are becoming increasingly unaffordable for many households.
The reality is stark: 3.7 million Australian households (36%) were reported to have experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, with cost-of-living pressures cited as the key driver. That means millions of families and young people are struggling to put meals on the table.
At Lighthouse, our carers see this every day. They are being forced to stretch budgets further than ever, making difficult choices about which foods to buy.. For children and young people already recovering from trauma, this kind of instability can be unsettling
How Lighthouse Responds
For more than 34 years, Lighthouse Foundation has provided safe homes and trauma-informed, therapeutic care to children and young people who have experienced homelessness. Food is more than fuel in our homes — it’s a symbol of safety, care, and belonging.
Shared meals around the table are an opportunity for connection, stability, and healing. Alex’s* Story — Finding Connection Through Care and Food
Alex was less than one year old when he was removed from his birth parents and placed in the care of his grandparents, whom he called “Mum and Dad.” When they separated, ten-year-old Alex stayed with his grandfather, but the family breakdown left him struggling. His behaviour became increasingly difficult, and eventually, his grandfather could no longer care for him.
Over the next eight years, Alex moved through more than thirty foster and residential placements — seven in one year alone. The constant change meant he never had the chance to feel secure or form lasting connections.
By his mid-teens, Alex had disengaged from school and fallen into drugs and petty crime, eventually entering the juvenile justice system. With no stable placement available, his caseworker turned to Lighthouse. The magistrate agreed, and Alex was released into our care.
At Lighthouse, Alex found what he had been missing — stability, belonging, and unconditional care. Our Youth Resource Hub became his safe space, where he formed genuine friendships and began to heal.
Each night, our carers brought him warm milk and cookies before bed — a small gesture that recreated the nurturing he’d missed as a child. Over time, this simple act of kindness helped rebuild his trust and sense of connection.
At Lighthouse, we know that food is more than a meal. It’s comfort, care, and a pathway to transformation for young people like Alex.
Give $10 on the 10th
This World Homeless Day, we’re inviting our community to take action together. Just $10 provides a meal for a young person in Lighthouse’s care — helping them feel safe, nourished, and cared for.
On 10 October, Give $10. With your support, we can make sure no young person in Lighthouse’s homes goes without the food and stability they need to heal and thrive.
👉 Donate here.
