Kids Under Cover is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing youth homelessness.
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.
This cycle of events cause some young people to feel there is no other option, but to leave. They are not ready, have nowhere to go and may become isolated from mainstream society, and can often experience depression, poor nutrition, substance abuse and mental health problems. Without the right support, many will struggle with homelessness their entire lives.
Early intervention interrupts the cycle and maintains a young person’s connection to home and their support networks.
For the individual, by acting early to identify and address the issues which lead to homelessness, we can mitigate the detrimental effect of the problem and offer the support required to bring positive change to the lives of young people.
For the wider community, this approach reduces the cost to society that invariably results from entering the cycle of homelessness. Costs in mental and physical healthcare, justice system and other specialist homelessness and support services are reduced. Additional flow on economic benefits are reduced dependence on welfare and waitlists for state housing, increased employment prospects, civic participation, and social integration.
We are the only organisation in Australia offering young people the combination of housing with scholarships for education to keep them engaged with the community. This has proven to be a simple yet effective approach to the long-term prevention of youth homelessness.
At the heart of our work is our Studio Program. One-or two-bedroom studios – with bathroom, are built in the backyards of a family or carer’s home. This provides secure and stable accommodation for young people at risk of homelessness. The only not-for-profit organisation in Australia delivering the unique combination of studio accommodation and education scholarships as a practical and proven strategy in preventing youth homelessness. It is Kids Under Cover’s mission to provide young people at risk of homelessness the foundations to strengthen their connection to family, community, and education.
Combined with the provision of scholarships to ensure young people remain connected to education or job training our early intervention model is simple, unique & effective.
Our scholarships give young people the support they need to stay in school.
The Scholarship Program helps young people who have the passion and motivation to continue education but don’t have the resources. These scholarships are helping young people aged 12-25 years old undertaking schooling, TAFE, university and job training.
We provide the Kids Under Cover Scholarships for secondary and post-secondary study to young people who have a Kids Under Cover Studio on their property.
A first-of-its-kind, Village 21 is a scaled-up, co-located version of Kids Under Cover’s existing Studio Program. Our first ever Village 21 location has been piloted in Preston, where it provides studios for six young people, giving them a stable home, wrap around supports and communal living elements for up to three years.
Space to Thrive Each studio provides a stable space for a young person to grow and study while keeping them connected to their family and reducing Read more >
A first-of-its-kind, Village 21 is a scaled-up, co-located version of Kids Under Cover's existing Studio Program.Our first ever Village 21 pilot is located in Preston, Read more >
Kids Under Cover Scholarship Program Education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its young people and its future and is Find out more >
