The first surprise was how few studies have been published over the last ten years. There is a body of research on youth homelessness, depression, suicide and drug abuse, but little on issues surrounding transition. This is a pity, because transition problems may be a contributing factor to more extreme problems. The second surprise was how few programs exist. This article will summarise the issues raised by the studies, describe some of the programs available, and suggest several corresponding opportunities for ministry.
Unemployment is the most common reason for youth to make the move. Young people move to urban centres to find employment, or to gain the education and training necessary for employment (Wyn, Stokes & Stafford 1998). Although many say they would prefer to stay in the country, work and study options are too limited (Breen 1987).
The irony is that work can be as difficult to find in the city as it is in the country. A spokesperson for the Melbourne Youth Access Centre said that they had one piece of advice for youth who were thinking of moving: “Don’t!”. Although there may be more employment opportunities in the city, many rural youth do not have the necessary contacts to enter the workforce.
Those that find work often end up in apprenticeships or junior or casual positions. Wages are low and accommodation expensive. Rural youth have the additional expenses of STD phone calls and travelling home which form a large part of their budgets (Hartley 1990). Many youth living independently live well below the poverty line.
The cost of living is given as a major obstacle to university participation (Boylan 1991; Fairnie 1997). The AUSTUDY allowance is insufficient; most students require a parental allowance or part time work to make ends meet (Boylan 1991). A study of rural students at Swinburne University found that 72% needed part time work to supplement parental and AUSTUDY allowances (Walsh, Crawford & MacDonald 1998).

Accommodation

The largest expense is accommodation (Breen 1987; Hartley 1990). The lack of affordable accommodation is the major reason given by those who turn down higher education (Boylan 1991; Breen 1987; Fairnie 1997) and by those who decide not to move to Melbourne to find employment (Breen 1987). Housing options are limited.
Rural young people are almost entirely dependent on the private rental sector. Although sharing a four-bedroom house is the cheapest way to live, many rural youth do not have the friends and contacts necessary to set up such an arrangement. Most live in one-bedroom flats (Breen 1987). A small number take up other options, including residential caravans, boarding houses (which are rapidly closing down), and public housing. Students have the additional option of living at a college, which is very expensive. The closure of the state student hostels has been an enormous blow to rural students.
Young people need housing which is close to public transport and other public amenities. They are often too young to drive, or too poor to build up the savings necessary to purchase and maintain a car. Suburbs which have traditionally offered cheap convenient accommodation for young people are being rapidly gentrified.
The inadequacy of housing options is demonstrated by many instances of young people “sleeping rough”; living in overcrowded houses; using emergency accommodation as the usual place of shelter; cohabiting with unsatisfactory partners who may be violent and abusive; and remaining in the family home too long (Breen 1987).
In addition, many young people are ill equipped to look after themselves, and find cooking, cleaning and laundry overwhelming tasks (Chapman & Boylan 1990; Walsh et al 1998). One study found that some students suffered a drop in physical health as a result of poor eating habits (Boylan , Hill & Kay 1994). There is clearly an onus on parents to teach their children basic living skills. Problems are compounded because rural young people often do not know how to access the social services open to them (Owen 1994, Hartley 1990).
It is not surprising, then, that many rural youth who move to the city report feelings of anxiety, stress and maladjustment (Owen 1994); isolation and loneliness (Boylan 1991); and dislocation (Walsh et al 1998).

Addressing the Problems

Tertiary institutions are addressing some of these problems. Murdoch, Curtin, Monash, Melbourne and Charles Sturt, among others, offer transition programs. The types of services include city tours, accommodation assistance and location, academic support and advice, mentor systems, counselling and social events.
However, this does not help young people who move to the city to find work. Services for youth on the margins operate on a shoestring. Funding is tight and getting tighter. Many services can only help those in extreme situations, such as young homeless people. They have few resources for preventive programs. For example, a city orientation course run by FrontYard in the late eighties, Knowhere to Go, folded for lack of funding. There are clear opportunities for churches to become involved.
The lack of suitable housing has many solutions. Several churches such as West Hawthorn Uniting and Ashburton Baptist have set up student houses, which provide affordable housing for young people moving to the city to study. Many more such houses are needed. The Kew Baptist Student Hostel is a project on a larger scale. It also grew out of the need for accommodation for rural students. Other churches offer board in members' homes.
Affordable housing directly solves the cost of living issue, as accommodation makes up the bulk of young people’s budgets. Good housing with friends can alleviate feelings of loneliness and dislocation.

Overcoming Loneliness

The issues of loneliness and isolation came up again and again. This is an area in which the church has a clear role. St Jude’s Anglican Church has a strong presence on the Melbourne University campus, and draws many into the richness of congregational life. Groups such as the Christian Union provide opportunities for students to find Christian support and friendship.
The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne found that many young people feel more connected with a friendship group which happens to attend church than with church and faith. When they move to the city, new friends often dictate whether or not they attend church. The churches can help young people develop a personal faith, strong enough to survive new friends and new cities. Churches can also direct young people to suitable local congregations when they move.
Congregational networks are a wonderful opportunity for young people to meet and share houses and advice, stories and experiences. City churches can build relationships with rural churches, and guarantee a welcome, a meal and a bed to young people who move to the city. The possibilities for creative ministry are enormous.
This project revealed what is lacking: research, accommodation and support. But every gap is an opportunity for the church to demonstrate the love of Christ. New ways must be developed of connecting with and caring for young people who are taking a leap into the unknown: scared to leave the familiar behind, but full of hope for what the future may bring.

Alison Sampson

Resources Cited
BOYLAN, Colin R, D Hill & R Kay Country Students’ Transition to University Life in Rural Society vol 4 no 3/4, 1994.
BOYLAN, Colin R 'Coming in from the Country' in Youth Studies vol 10 no 4, Nov 1991, pp 52-55.
BREEN, Kevin Our Biggest Export Business is Kids: The Urban Accommodation Needs of Young People (Melbourne: Victorian Youth Policy Development Council & Youth Accommodation Coalition of Victoria, 1987).
CHAPMAN, William & Colin Boylan 'Bridging the Secondary-Tertiary Education Gap for Rural Students' in Rural Welfare Research Bulletin No 6 December 1990 pp 12-15.
FAIRNIE, I & G Hepworth Participation and Retention of Students from Rural and Remote/Isolated Areas (Perth: Curtin University, 1997).
HARTLEY, Robyn What Price Independence? A Report of a Study of Young People’s Incomes and Living Costs (Fitzroy, Vic: Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, 1990).
OWEN, Fiona 'Transition' in YACVICBits June 1994 p 6.
WALSH, Meaghan, Jennifer Crawford & Ian MacDonald Rural and Remote Students: Transition Issues in Accessing Tertiary Education (Clayton: Monash University, 1998).
WYN, Johanna, Helen Stokes & John Stafford Young People Living in Rural Australia in the 1990’s Research Report 16 (Parkville, Vic: Youth Research Centre, University of Melbourne, 1998).

The full report is available from the CRA, Locked Bag 23, Kew, 3101 for $25.00 including postage.