Children under the age of five are among those facing homelessness in the Wangaratta area, according to frontline workers trying to help those in need.

Wangaratta youth homelessness support provider NESAY says the shocking reality for children facing homelessness revealed in a recent nationwide report is being reflected in their day-to-day experiences.

According to an analysis released by Barnardos Australia, in June 2025, 28,279 children went to a specialist homelessness service for help.

Concerningly, 30 per cent of them were under the age of five, a further 27 per cent were aged five to nine.

NESAY wellbeing manager Georgie Gray, said the Barnardos Australia report is distressing, and NESAY is doing everything it can to prevent the trauma of the experience of family violence and homelessness.

"Our services are seeing young people at a younger and younger age who are experiencing family violence and homelessness," she said.

"The impacts of this are long lasting and cannot be overstated."

New snapshot analysis of the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data released by Barnardos Australia this week shows girls are significantly overrepresented when it comes to children seeking help without a parent or guardian.

In 2023-24, 13,300 unaccompanied children accessed specialist homelessness services, and 63 per cent were female.

Barnardos Australia frontline worker Eliza Gibbs said this should be a massive wake up call for governments and communities.

"Thousands of children, who are in many cases leaving unsafe home environments, are winding up homeless," she said.

"Children are not bystanders to crises like homelessness and family violence, they are also victims-survivors, and we cannot stand for that as Australians.

“If we are going to protect children, we need to ensure families have safe and secure housing, but we also need child-focused support and early intervention programs to protect children facing family violence and homelessness.

“Children who experience these unthinkable kinds of challenges early on in life, will be more likely to end up in a cycle of homelessness and poverty.

"We must break that cycle for our nation’s children."

The NESAY staff work alongside families and their children, to prevent the cycle of homelessness and disadvantage.

NESAY transitional services manager Claire Anderson said early intervention was a key to helping reduce the reoccurrence of homelessness.

"NESAY’s services focus on supporting young people and their families, working closely with schools and local agencies to provide holistic care," she said.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved - whether through volunteering, community partnerships, or making a contribution - visit nesay.com.au.