The Salvation Army said couch surfing was one of the few other options available to young people and a small step away from sleeping on the street.

“Just because a young person has a roof over their head does not mean that they have stability, safety or a secure place to live,” Major Bruce Harmer said. 

“Obviously, if you can’t go home, it’s not a sleepover. Thinking consequentially, for many young people, sleeping on a friends couch is just the beginning of an uncertain future which can lead to further disengagement and more serious circumstances for them.”

The Samaritans Foundation Maitland youth development officer Bron Dyason said homelessness was a significant issue in the Hunter. 

“There’s definitely a need for a focus on youth homelessness around the Hunter,” Ms Dyason said. 

“At Samaritans we continue to support large numbers of young people who are either homeless or at risk.

"The recent reforms in the youth homelessness sector have meant a bigger emphasis on service partnerships and, ultimately, I believe this will mean better services for the young people of Maitland.” 

The Salvos encourage people to spend one night sleeping on their couch in support of youth homelessness and raise money for their youth homelessness work.

“Couch surfing is a much bigger issue than people recognise,” Major Harmer said.

“It is not an easily recognisable form of homelessness, but that’s exactly what it is. 

“We see the dangers of couch surfing every day.  It can soon lead to people sleeping rough.”

OPINION: Couch surfing another name for youth homelessness