Off the Couch gives a voice to homeless youth

AS part of National Homelessness Week the City of Clarence hosted its annual Off the Couch event, an initiative to bring the issue of youth homelessness and couch-surfing in Tasmania into the spotlight.
Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said youth homelessness remained a significant concern in the community.
“According to the 2021 Census, more than one in four people experiencing homelessness in Tasmania were aged 12 to 24, while 14 per cent were under 12 years of age, a stark reminder of the need for targeted support for children and young people,” he said.
“While we can often see the effects of homelessness in Clarence, youth homelessness is frequently out of sight.
“Couch-surfing and unstable housing arrangements don’t always fit the traditional image of homelessness, but they’re equally damaging and all too common.
“‘Off the Couch’ gives young people the opportunity to share, connect and be heard whilst creating a space where we can shine a light on what’s too often kept in the shadows.”
Held at Rosny Skate Park, the 2025 event featured free food, hot drinks, music, a skateboarding competition and interactive activities.
The event was designed to draw young people in while also opening access to vital services and conversations around housing support.
The initiative was once again delivered in partnership with Shelter Tas and a strong network of service providers and youth-focused organisations.
Each organisation plays a key role in providing on-site support, information and referrals to young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Mayor Blomeley said a collective community response was more important than ever.
“With rising living costs, increasing rents, and a competitive housing market, many families are under stress and it’s often young people who fall through the cracks,” he said.
“Initiatives like this don’t just raise awareness, they build community, and they start conversations that can lead to real change.
“Off the Couch is part of a wider strategy to address homelessness and ensure that young people in the municipality are seen, supported and empowered.”