Young People at Risk of Lifelong Poverty: Youth Homelessness in Australia

Youth homelessness is increasing in Australia. Whilst accurate definitions and data collection processes are still evolving, we know that homelessness is especially prevalent among particular groups. Unemployed young people, those who have experienced family violence, neglect or abuse, those living with mental illness and addictions, out-of-home care leavers, and young people involved with criminal justice are at heightened risk; GBLTQI, refugee, asylum seeking and Indigenous young people are also more likely to become homeless. Children growing up with family homelessness are at increased risk of becoming homeless in their own right, as adolescents or as young adults. There is, however, evidence that Australia has prioritized policy and programmatic responses to youth homelessness over the past two decades. Crisis accommodation, alcohol and other drug services, individual and family counselling, health and mental health programs, specialist secondary schools, pre-employment training, community outreach, residential programs and mentoring are some of the responses in place. Notwithstanding such initiatives, more young people in Australia continue to experience long-term homelessness each year. When homelessness endures into adulthood it puts young people at risk of lifelong marginalization and poverty. We need to better understand pathways to youth homelessness and poverty, especially child abuse and neglect, family violence, unemployment, criminality, mental health issues and alcohol and other drug use. This chapter describes contemporary patterns of youth homelessness in Australia and their links to poverty, along with promising intervention programs. It also suggests areas for further policy development and research.