Background
Every year, there are almost 40,000 children and young people who have nowhere to live across this country. Around 9,500 of them are 15-17 years old and thousands more lost their homes when they were children.
Current policies are creating lifetimes of disadvantage by failing vulnerable children and young people. It’s time to fix our housing system through policy change and dedicated investment.
How is Australia’s housing system broken?
Australia’s current housing system is structurally incapable of delivering enough safe homes and appropriate support for under 25 year-olds because:
Dedicated youth tenancies are not built into our housing system and there is no mandate for youth tenancies in new housing investments and programs.
Young people are not identified as a priority group for funding, tenancies or housing investment across key federal housing and homelessness plans and funding agreements.
Young people do not have access they need to establish a new home and work towards goals in areas like study, work and family.
Housing providers are at a financial disadvantage when considering young people for tenancies due to lower rental income through the social security system.
How many children and young people in Australia have nowhere to live?
37,872 children and young people aged 15-24 have nowhere to live each year. This includes:
11,583 First Nations - 30% of the total and around 10 times the number of First Nations People living in the community
9,232 children aged 15-17 years old - over 24% of the total group, including more than 60% girls.
Nearly 75% are disconnected from school, training and work opportunities - a pathway into lifelong disadvantage
Children lose their homes early in life due to extreme life events and trauma, including family violence, abuse, neglect and estrangement.
Young people who are First Nations, LGBTIQ+, from diverse cultural backgrounds, living with disability, or who have had contact with child protection are over-represented.
All young people need safety and support in order to stabilise their lives and become independent.
Federal, state and territory governments can fix housing for young people.
In 2023, a group of Victorian housing and homelessness organisations commissioned Nous to analyse structural, policy and funding factors for children and young people trying to access housing and support.
The resulting framework is being consulted on nationally, with three clear areas for action emerging.
Home Time advocates for a range of models that provide housing and support to young people, including Youth Foyers, Housing First models, and other supported youth housing programs delivered by specialist youth housing providers.
We acknowledge the wide range of organisations providing high quality supportive housing for young people across Australia.
The Home Time Action Plan calls on federal, state and territory governments to:
Develop and maintain a national pool of 15,000 dedicated youth tenancies.
Provide linked support services to enable young people to pursue their goals and transition to independence.
Address the rental gap to ensure viability for housing providers and landlords offering tenancies to young people who have been homeless.
Note: The national pool of dedicated youth tenancies will include public, community and private housing options.
