Covid left teen homeless for the first time amid Covid-19 pandemic

Moon Plimmer, who identifies as non-binary, grew up in Perth but mid-pandemic, found themself homeless for four months.

The true effects of the pandemic are just starting to be seen – with one 15-year-old brave enough to detail how Covid saw them become homeless for the first time in their life.

Moon Plimmer, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, grew up in Perth, Western Australia, and found themself homeless for four months in 2021.

Moon said during lockdown their relationship with their parents became strained.

“When you can go out for the whole day, come back for dinner, take it to eat in your room and go to bed, you don’t really have to deal with [any tensions],” Moon told news.com.au.

“Being stuck in a house with a bunch of people who you might not get along with, or maybe you do when you’re not trapped in a house with them, you get no break.”

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Moon, who is non-binary, said being stuck at home made staying there untenable. Picture: Supplied

Moon said their relationship became more strained at home so they made the decision to leave – but it wasn’t an easy one to make.

Instead, Moon spent time bouncing between friends’ homes and, at one point, had to sleep in a car.

“Not knowing where you’re going to sleep the next night – it’s quite a strain on your mental health because for all you know, you could be on the streets with people that want to hurt you,” Moon said.

“I’ve been put in situations where I was circumstantially forced to live with people that didn’t have my best interests in mind. It led to quite unhealthy relationships, abusive relationships.”

Mission Australia’s 2021 Youth Survey had responses from more than 20,000 young people, with one in 20 revealing they experienced homelessness for the first time thanks to the pandemic.

Between 2017 and 2021, there was a raise of 0.9 per cent in first time homelessness and three in five were female.

But Moon said they’re not the only teenager who felt like their home was an impossible place to live thanks to the pandemic, as proven by the rise in first-time homelessness.

Moon said they believe there is a difference in perception between young people like them who are homeless and adults.

Moon bounced between houses before they were enrolled in Mission Australia's Drug and Alcohol Youth Service. Picture: Supplied.

“I had people to stay with, whereas some people who are older don’t, because, ‘oh, you’re older, you should be able to have a job’ etc,” Moon said.

“As a young person, I’m lucky enough to have an excuse in other people’s eyes to not have a place to stay. But an older person who doesn’t have a place to stay is considered a burden, almost.”

Following Moon’s unhoused period, they enrolled in Mission Australia’s Drug and Alcohol Youth Service, with the 15-year-old considering themselves an addict.

It was here that things started to turn around for Moon, as they finally got the support they felt they needed.

Moon is now living in their own home. Picture: Supplied.

“DAYS was amazing, they’re so supportive,” Moon said.

“The first two weeks are free. You get food, a place to stay, outings and lessons on drugs and alcohol. After that, it’s a 100 a week for the three-month program. You get life lessons on budgeting and groups on drug and alcohol.”

Moon added the staff were amazing and it was a great place to go if you’re struggling with mental health or substance issues.

The teenager said the program changed their life and they are now clean, living in their own home after getting the support they needed.

Moon is sharing their story so that any other teenagers in the same position as them won’t feel alone.

I just want to say even if you’re struggling with homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol use, there’s always a way past it,” Moon said.

“You just have to put in the effort and really push forwards because there’s always there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. At the moment, it might not seem like that but you just got to keepgoing through that tunnel. Keep walking. Just don’t stop.”