Student Worksheet

Thought-starter: Homelessness and financial hardship often go hand in hand and can be thought of as a cycle. Using an example, explain what this means.

1. What would you choose?

Note: If you feel uncomfortable with the content of this lesson at any time, please notify your teacher.

Put yourself in the position of a person your age who has just been forced to leave home. You have no time to grab anything except your empty backpack. You only have the clothes you are wearing, your mobile phone (which has no credit) and your wallet (which has your ID, Medicare card, bankcard and $5.40 in it). You have been receiving Youth Allowance as a dependent as you have been living at home but your last payment was over a week ago, so you only have $40 left in your bank account.

Youth Allowance payment as a dependent: $240 a fortnight ($120 per week or $17 per day)
Youth Allowance payment as an independent: $430 a fortnight ($215 per week or $30 per day)

What to buy? The Oasis - HPE - The financial reality

Which 10 items from the table above would you choose to take with you if you were faced with spending the night homeless? You must choose 10 items, and 5 of those items must be the asterisked items from the table.

What is the total cost of your 10 items?

2. You decide to go to your local Salvos Crisis Centre to seek assistance and a bed for the night. Unfortunately, all the beds are taken and the best The Salvos can do is give you $50 to help get you through the week. You will have to go back tomorrow to try and sort out some more permanent accommodation. For tonight, you need decide on where to sleep. They following choices are available:

Style of accommodation:	Cost per night:
Sleeping Rough (on the streets)	$0
Couch Surf	$0
Salvos Crisis Accommodation	$15 (Unavailable)
Youth Hostel	$30
Boarding House	$35
Caravan Park	$90
Motel	$100

3. It’s dinnertime and you are starving. You've already missed breakfast and lunch because of the chaos. What will you eat for dinner? You will need to consider whether your choice of accommodation allows access to a kitchen.

Dinner	Cost per Night
Nothing	Free
Salvos crisis centre	Free
Fast food meal	$10
Prepare own meal with food bought from a supermarket	$10
Meal from a food court	$15
Meal from a restaurant	$30

4. Watch the clips below. While doing so, record any financial and emotional costs that each of the characters may face in the table below. Some costs are directly mentioned in the clips, while others may be assumed based on the character's circumstances.

THE OASIS - Part 6 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzJLLhexgrQ&list=PL5D5EBAE4CF2F2D61)

THE OASIS - Part 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxzdiLpn4JE&list=PL5D5EBAE4CF2F2D61)

5. Finances can be a major challenge for young people experiencing homelessness. Seeking support can be crucial in ensuring healthier emotional and financial outcomes.

Using a web search, research homelessness support services in your state, and list at least four resources in the table below. A good place to start looking is state government websites as they often have links and information for crisis accommodation services and homelessness.

Reflection

Use this pyramid reflection tool to reflect on your learning throughout this lesson:

You could also print the Pyramid reflection tool and complete your reflection by hand.

The Oasis - Appreciating the Financial Realities

Go to

Summary

Lesson Guides and Printables

Lesson Details

Curriculum Mapping

Resources Required

Additional Info

In this lesson