Open Family youth service runs a program aimed at addressing concerning levels of homelessness among young people in the Pacific Islander community.

It actively seeks out the most disadvantaged, destitute and vulnerable people and helps them access health, housing and other services.

Vivian Urzua, who runs the project, says her day may involve acting as a witness for a child caught shoplifting, or finding somewhere safe for a teenage mother caught up in family violence.

Her colleague Byron Wilson says Cranbourne's relative geographic isolation and its semi-rural setting bring challenges to young people on the edge.

In 2001, New Zealanders lost their privileged status with changes to migration laws in Australia.

Ms Urzua said this meant children were not able to access services because they did not have access to social security status.

"Without a social security number most agencies, including those providing emergency housing and health care, are unable to provide services," Ms Urzua said. She tells of a young family who had worked in Australia for almost five years, paying taxes, but could

not claim benefits when they lost their jobs.

"The wife was put off due to the economic downturn.

"Her husband's job at Ingham's was made redundant after the January [factory] fire. They had children born here but could not access any benefits, so they were forced to leave." She said the impact on young people was profound.

"Say you're 14, pregnant or have mental health issues, you have nowhere to go, no health care card, nothing. You're outside the system."

Among Open Family's priorities are breaking cycles of substance abuse, depression and a propensity towards crime in order to survive without welfare support.

Mr Wilson says more outreach workers would reduce street crime.

"There are just not enough services. There is something like 11 emergency accommodation beds to accommodate the entire south-east suburbs," Mr Wilson said.