Our Vision is for all young people to reach their full potential.
Our Mission is to build homes and provide scholarships for homeless and at risk young people.
What we do
Established in 1989, Kids Under Cover is a not-for-profit organisation operating in Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.
We respond to the needs of young people who are at risk of becoming homeless due to extreme conflict or overcrowding within the family home. Other issues which may intensify the need for our services include mental health, disability, illicit drugs and alcohol and the housing affordability crisis.
Unfortunately the need is growing, with more families reaching crisis stage than ever before.
Our response is simple.
We offer one or two bedroom, fully demountable bungalows with bathroom constructed on the grounds of the family/carer's home. This unique accommodation allows families to stay connected, giving them extra room to live and providing the young person with a safe, secure and stable environment to grow into healthy adulthood. Kids Under Cover focuses on early identification of issues and prevention of youth homelessness, creating a proactive rather than reactive approach to this very complex issue.
Our Community Service Organisation (CSO) members work directly with the families and young people to identify situations where a Kids Under Cover bungalow, combined with existing support, will be the most effective solution to the challenges the family face. The member organisation applies on behalf of the family and we aim to deliver the bungalow within 3 months of the application. After completion, Kids Under Cover is responsible for any ongoing maintenance of the bungalow. When the bungalow is no longer needed by the family, it is dismantled and moved to another family in need. Bungalows last approximately 15 years and can be relocated up to four times.
In addition to the bungalow program, Kids Under Cover also has a housing program whereby 14 houses are managed by our member Community Service Organisations. The houses are used to accommodate young people who are currently experiencing homelessness including a strong focus on young mothers and their babies. Young people and their siblings who have lived, or are currently living in Kids Under Cover accommodation, automatically qualify to apply for a Kids Under Cover Scholarship.
The scholarships (available in Victoria only) are designed to promote the return to school for individuals who have been absent for extended periods and for those looking to realise their dreams through further education. Through responsive action with a focus on prevention, Kids Under Cover is able to deliver a service, supporting young people to be independent, breaking any cycle of welfare. Kids Under Cover provides disenfranchised young people with the opportunity to experience family life, pursue educational aspirations and maintain a real sense of family.
