Riley Knowles on how he and his family almost ended up being homeless

Statistics show that around 39 per cent of Tasmania’s homeless population is under the age of 25. Riley Knowles almost became part of that statistic.

Homelessness generic. Picture: Istock

In 2021, then 14-year-old Riley Knowles spent every second wondering if he and his family would become homeless.

“We were renters, and our landlord decided to sell the property we lived in Devonport. It was just my mum, brother and I,” Mr Knowles said.

“In the northwest, it’s hard to find a place because there are so many people looking for rentals.

“It took us a year and a half to be approved for a place.

“We were lucky enough to be friends with our landlord – so if we hadn’t known our landlord, we would have been at risk of getting kicked out or affected.

“But our landlord was patient with us, fortunately.”

Riley Knowles was at risk of homelessness as a 14-year-old. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Knowles said it was a scary time for him and his family.

“If we got kicked out, I wouldn’t know where we’d end up. It turned my life upside down.

“I would have possibly had to have gone to a different school, or we’d have to find a shelter.”

During the period of uncertainty, Mr Knowles said he struggled at school.

“I couldn’t concentrate at school because I was thinking about it a lot.

“I felt isolated from my friends because they all owned their own houses and they lived in a kind of wealthier part, so they couldn’t empathise because they didn’t know how it felt.

“I felt alone, and at home it’d be the same way because mum would be stressed with work and going to open houses.”

Mr Knowles said his family had to cut back on expenses such as food to maintain finances.

He believed things had improved for him mentally since his family secured permanent housing.

“I don’t feel worried because the current landlord is nice, and I can concentrate at school.

“It’s just better because there’s not that stress about where you’re going to be in a year or two, and you feel a bit of security when you know the landlord doesn’t want to sell the property.”

In regards to what can be done to reduce the chances of young people slipping into homelessness, Mr Knowles said he would like to see some regulation on landlords “because they are open to discriminated against anyone.”

“If they looked at my mum, she’s never been late on rent – but because she’s a single mum – there was the assumption she wouldn’t be able to keep up with the rent.

“But they didn’t bother to check; they’ll just go with a household with two income earners. But I think there should be regulation on how landlords pick clients.”

Youth Homelessness forum, Youth Network of Tasmania CEO Tania Hunt at Elizabeth St Mall. Picture: Chris Kidd

Youth Homelessness Matters Day is on April 16, which has been celebrated annually since 1990.

“Riley’s experience really does demonstrate that there are many drivers to youth homelessness – and certainly being at risk of homelessness, rental insecurity and affordability is a significant concern that is impacting young people more broadly,” Youth Network of Tasmania CEO Tania Hunt said.

Statistics show that around 39 per cent of Tasmania’s homeless population was under the age of 25.

Ms Hunt said that was “an absolutely huge statistic.”

“I think what we need to recognise is that in order to actively prevent homelessness, we need early identification and referral.

“If Riley’s landlord wasn’t so patient, this could have been a very different outcome for him.”

Ms Hunt said that housing and support services were key for young people.

“But we also need more than bricks and mortar.

“For young people, they need accessible housing and meet the needs of young people such as being close to essential services – given that transport is a barrier for many young people.

“But we need support services that enable young people to obtain housing, sustain it, and prevent repeated experiences of becoming homelessness.”

As well as rental stress, as was the case for Mr Knowles, Ms Hunt said family violence was another major factor contributing to youth homelessness.

Originally published as Riley Knowles on how he and his family almost ended up being homeless