Media Release: New approach needed to end shocking youth homelessness numbers

Key youth homelessness charity calls for a shift in focus towards early intervention and prevention to end homelessness.

Kids Under Cover is urging governments to invest more heavily in preventative programs to disrupt young people from a pathway to homelessness.

45,850 children and young Australians (0-24 years old) experience homelessness on any given night.

38,300 young people (aged 10-24) sought help from homelessness services unaccompanied by a parent or guardian in 2022-23. aihw.gov.au/reports

This shocking statistic is most likely an underestimate considering the younger cohort of 10-14 years (of which more than 3,000 sought help) would not necessarily be inclined to reach out to a specialist homelessness service.

Kids Under Cover CEO, Stephen Nash says there needs to be more investment in supporting young people at risk before they enter a long-term cycle of homelessness.

“At least half of the adults you see sleeping rough today first experienced homelessness when they were young”, he says. 

“Co-ordinated provision of housing and support has been effectively ending homelessness for individuals for some time. The key to ending homelessness at a societal level is preventing people from entering the cycle to begin with. There needs to be a far greater focus on identifying risk factors and reaching the right people early.”

Kids Under Cover build studio accommodation for young people at risk in the backyard of their family or carer’s homes to alleviate overcrowding, help resolve conflict and offer space outside often complex household environments.

They’ve also just launched their second ‘Village21’ communal housing solution for 18 to 21-year-olds who are leaving care. A particularly vulnerable cohort who are supported in the village by live-in mentors and case workers.

Prevention, early intervention, and supportive housing models need to be scaled up as a matter of urgency. Investing this money now will save lives, create opportunity and save taxpayer money.

Eradicating youth homelessness would save governments and the community $7.3B NPV. SGS Economics and Planning and Housing All Australian (2024)

Any Homelessness Strategy must have measures for prevention and early intervention and a specific focus on stopping the crisis of unaccompanied Australian children and young people from being exposed to the danger and long-term impacts of homelessness.

Investment in early intervention could prevent up to 1,460 young people from entering out-of-home care every year. Social Ventures Australia Report Summary (2020)

For enquiries or to arrange an interview with Kids Under Cover CEO, Stephen Nash, please contact Sam Aiton on +61(3) 9107 4313 or sam.aiton@kuc.org.au