❓ Mr Hort raises concerns about a 17% increase in unaccompanied youth homelessness in WA. The Minister acknowledges the issue and highlights government investment and ongoing collaboration, but lacks specific data on bed availability.

I refer to the statistics reported by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on 4 December 2025 relating to the number of unaccompanied children and young people experiencing homelessness in WA, showing a 17% increase over the last 12 months:(a) How many unaccompanied children and young people presented to WA homelessness services on an average night in 2025;(b) How many funded specialist homelessness beds for young people were available on an average night in 2025;(c) Further to (b), how many of these were in services designed for adults;(d) What actions is the Minister taking to address this issue; and(e) Will the 5-year action plan address this crisis?

(a) Of 5,900 clients supported by 220 specialist homelessness services (SHS) agencies, 830 of these clients were young people presenting alone and 1,400 were children in families that were being supported. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare does not report this data on an average nightly basis. However, based on available data, this would equate to approximately 6 unaccompanied children and young people presenting to services on an average night. (b)-(d) The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring every Western Australian has a home, supported by our record $6.3 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures since 2021. This includes $29 million on youth homelessness services in 2025-26, including accommodation support services to assist young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare does not collect information on the number of nightly beds available. The State Government will continue to collaborate with the community services sector to identify ways to better support young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. (e) Significant progress has been made under the first Action Plan of All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020–2030 , including against those actions aimed at addressing youth homelessness. The second Action Plan will be released in the near future.