The Home Time Youth Housing Coalition, representing over 180 organisations across Australia, has launched a new report at Parliament House that synthesises existing and new research, revealing the productivity gain that a targeted youth housing supplement would deliver.
The research highlighted examples of dedicated youth tenancies with support, in which housing stability increased from 27% to over 70%. Similarly, educational engagement increased from 28% to as high as 77%, and employment rates rose from 26% to as high as 90%.
For every dollar invested in youth housing, researchers estimate $2.60 in community benefit.
The report also outlines the economic cost of inaction, with billions of dollars spent each year on avoidable costs across various government systems. Youth homelessness costs governments $626 million each year in avoidable costs, early school leaving costs $315 million per year and disengagement from work and study costs $470 million per year.
It also reiterates the harm done to individual children and young people by early and prolonged homelessness and the negative impact this has on local communities across Australia.
Currently, young people experiencing homelessness get less income support than homeless adults, less access to existing social housing, and do not benefit from new funding for social housing available through the Housing Australia Future Fund.
Home Time is calling on the Federal Government to introduce a targeted national youth housing supplement to provide young people with fair access to existing and new social housing.
A youth housing supplement would make youth tenancies financially viable across the community housing sector, enable the national scaling of proven youth housing models, improve education and employment outcomes for young people and deliver long‑term fiscal and productivity gains to the Australian community.
Quote attributable to Shorna Moore, Home Time Youth Housing Coalition
"This report shows that investing in youth housing is one of the smartest investments governments can make in terms of community benefit and economic return. A youth housing supplement would deliver stability, opportunity and long‑term productivity dividends."
"The current system locks young people out of social housing through financial barriers imposed on housing providers. With the third round of the HAFF opening last week, we must act in this budget to ensure young people can access new homes when they are tendered and built."
Quote attributable to Kate Colvin, Homelessness Australia
"We can end youth homelessness if we fix the structural barriers locking young people out of housing. A youth housing supplement is a simple and powerful reform that would change lives immediately."
"The youth tenancies with support profiled in this research show the power of youth housing in turning around young lives and replacing fear and danger with the kinds of lives we want all our kids to have."
About us:
About the Home Time Youth Housing Coalition
Home Time is supported by over 180 organisations, including Homelessness Australia, Australian Community Housing, National Shelter, Melbourne City Mission, Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, ACOSS, The Salvation Army, Anglicare Australia, Brisbane Youth Service, Mission Australia, Foyer Foundation, YFoundations and the Australian Services Union.
