Kids Under Cover is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing youth homelessness.
We offer young people the unique combination of supported housing options with scholarships
Kids Under Cover supports vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness by building studios
There are many ways to get involved and help at-risk young people and their families.
“Homelessness is not just about a roof overhead, it’s about having a stable and secure place to call home. It’s about having a solid foundation upon which young people are afforded the support, the security and the care they need to explore their potential and become happy, healthy and productive members of the community.”
Young People Don’t Choose Homelessness.It’s a grave misconception that young people become homeless by choice. The reality is vastly different. The issues that lead someone to become homeless are complex and varied. For at‑risk young people, their lives have become emotionally and often, physically unbearable. Their home life may be burdened by the disadvantages of poverty, neglect, abuse, unemployment, substance abuse, health complications, disability and mental illness. This cycle of events causes some young people to feel there is no other option, but to leave. They are not ready, have nowhere to go and become isolated from mainstream society.
“Living conditions can make it intolerable for a young person to remain at home, often young people feel they have no choice but to leave, with nowhere to go”
For these young people, their state of homelessness or risk of homelessness has not been the result of choice. Their living situation at home has become emotionally, mentally, even physically unbearable. It is not uncommon for them to be living in homes hampered by the disadvantages of poverty, often further impacted by factors such as:
Such living conditions can make it intolerable for a young person to remain at home. If they do stay, being able to focus on things like schoolwork and their own health is often beyond their capacity. Even friendships can become compromised, and in some cases, completely abandoned.
“Without the right support, many will struggle with homelessness their entire lives”
Homeless young people are less likely to stay engaged with school, find jobs, get access to rental housing and maintain friendships. They are more likely to experience depression, poor nutrition, substance abuse and mental health problems. In fact, without the right support, many will struggle with homelessness their entire lives.
Not having a home also puts people on the margins of society where they encounter prejudice and find it difficult to access mainstream services, such as the local doctor. When someone experiences homelessness, they are often denied the opportunity to participate in the community in a meaningful way.
“The annual cost of health and justice services for homeless youth in Australia is $626 million”
From a purely economic perspective, it makes sense to prevent youth homelessness. A recent social return on investment analysis of our prevention programs has shown for every dollar invested in Kids Under Cover’s programs $4.17 is returned in social value – READ MORE
The financial cost of addressing the needs of young people experiencing homelessness can be up to 22 times more per annum than that spent on Kids Under Cover’s youth homelessness prevention programs. Our studios cost about $10,000 per young person, per annum whereas the cost of supporting young people in the justice or residential housing systems can reach almost $228,000 per year; research from a Swinburne-led study found the annual cost of health and justice services for homeless youth in Australia is $626 million.
This is in addition to the cost of providing support and accommodation services for youth experiencing homelessness.
Apart from the purely economic rationale, our Studio Program gives a young person the opportunity to remain connected to their families and support networks, providing them with a vital sense of security and space. Once it is no longer needed the studio is relocated to accommodate another young person in need.
“Stable and secure housing is a core human right and basic need”
St Vincent de Paul Society, The Ache for Home
Kids Under Cover was established by Ken Morgan OAM in direct response to the outcomes of the 1989 Senate National Inquiry into Youth Homelessness. The report, produced by the then Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and chaired by Brian Burdekin, highlighted the need for a preventative approach to youth homelessness.
