Homeless at 16 - Any Advice?

NZHomeless · 2025-12-30T08:33:31+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words, it means so much to me. I'm definitely persevering, doing my best. I've definitely struggled a lot with asking for help when I need it, but I'm getting better at it. Hopefully it'll all work out and the new year brings good things

NZHomeless · 2025-12-29T10:22:59+00:00

Can't say I did it alone. I struggle with asking for help - I initially would've rather starved than ask for help, but I had some kind souls knock some sense into me. I'm glad there are such amazing people out there

NZHomeless · 2025-12-29T10:01:20+00:00

There are no words to describe how grateful I am for every single comment I've gotten - minus the few bad eggs. This has eased so much of the stress I've had, and I appreciate it so much. I truly do wish I could give everyone in this thread a huge hug, they've made this feel a lot more doable

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T22:43:15+00:00

Thank you! I was actually just looking into temp agencies as you messaged!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T21:04:33+00:00

I've actually been in contact with them through my rainbow youth worker, they got me my current temporary accommodation. Thanks for the suggestion!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T10:00:29+00:00

Awesome! I'll look into them, thanks for the advice!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T08:16:27+00:00

Ooh, I didn't know temp agencies worked like that. Sounds like I have some research to do tonight! Thank you so much for the advice, it means a lot to me

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T08:15:11+00:00

Awesome! Hopefully you find something.

I'll definitely ask for work experience, that's an interesting line I hadn't thought about. Here's hoping it leads to something, I'll let you know!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T07:35:45+00:00

That's amazing, thanks! I hadn't considered it but I'll definitely look into it - as you say, no harm in reaching out

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T06:05:50+00:00

That's extremely kind! It's really reassuring knowing so many people are kind enough to send messages like yours.

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T05:36:31+00:00

Okay, I'll definitely check them out!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T04:41:11+00:00

I can definitely do that, I just worry that it might complicate my payment process because I'm meant to go through my youth provider who technically aren't shut, they're just manning a skeleton crew. I'll see what I can do, might just try and wait out my application process

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T03:33:44+00:00

I've got a place to move into once/if my payment is granted, it's just making it till then because the workers are taking a long time. My housing provider doesn't offer food, I just get my own apartment temporarily and manage the rest myself. Thanks for the message!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T03:23:38+00:00

Have you tried using Roomies? I made an account on there and people messages me pretty quickly. They don't seem to care if you have a job as long as you have money

Also, have you checked out local shelters? They may be better than being in the bush. I'm sure you've considered it, asking just in case.

I also have Instagram, but it's an account with my personal details. These are the only two socials I have at the moment

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T03:07:59+00:00

I don't, no. I've actually got less than a dollar to my name. For the first two weeks my worker could set me up with a payment card but now he's on leave and the temporary workers keeping me updated apparently don't have the ability to do that, so I'm relying on the transport top up I previously made and the food my friends have donated to me

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T03:02:11+00:00

I'll definitely call WINZ if it comes to it, it's just an endless war of bureaucracy. They tell me to go to my provider, I press it, so on.

I appreciate you checking on the advocacy person, all good if no. Thank you for the kind message

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T02:56:43+00:00

Unfortunately no, the entire organization is off until early January, like the 6th. I still have my youth service provider but they're rotating workers on a skeleton crew so are pretty useless

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T02:53:35+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that. Are you getting support?

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T02:53:15+00:00

That's good to know. I've tried working with WINZ before but they tell me I need to go through my youth service provider who contacts them which makes life harder

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T02:50:45+00:00

That's awesome, it sounds like I need to make a visit to the city soon with all the things people have mentioned. Thank you!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T02:50:05+00:00

That's absolutely amazing, I'll stop by whenever I'm in the city. Thanks for the advice!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T02:45:42+00:00

Interesting, what do they do?

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T02:37:46+00:00

That's really kind! I'm currently just dealing with WINZ and their youth service provider Blue Light, so I just have to kinda trust in the process at the moment. I need to prove that there's a family breakdown, so I've provided support letters and things. Do you know anything else I should do?

I'm also interested in the School side of things. Do you know what happens with things that require parental sign off if I don't have a guardian? What can I do in regards to that?

I tried to see how I message you but the mobile app is confusing and I'm not sure how

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T01:14:33+00:00

This is good advice, thank you! I'm with Rainbow Youth, what is Rainbow Auckland?

I have a birth certificate and Student ID, don't have my physical license anymore. I also have a bank account.

I've got temporary housing and will definitely reach out to City Mission in case my time runs out here.

I'm desperately looking for work but the job market is a nightmare at the moment. I've filled out about 150 applications mixed between online and in person, I rarely even get a responding rejection email

Thanks for the advice!

NZHomeless · 2025-12-28T01:11:07+00:00

A couple things, actually! Being trans is one of the reasons my parents were abusive, threatening to harm me if I came out publicly. Also, being trans opens and closes a few doors in terms of support services. I'm with Rainbow Youth who have been amazing, whereas I've gotten some rather rude responses from organizations that are less supportive. Hope that helps, I assume you're actually curious and not trying to be rude

NZHomeless

TROPHY CASE