This research identifies measures that could reduce youth homelessness and lead to improved outcomes for young people who experience homelessness. It is based on an analysis of special homelessness services (SHS) data in three states: South Australia, NSW and Victoria. 

Children, adolescents (aged 12–18-years) and young adults (aged 19–24 years) are one of the largest users of homelessness services: in 2017–2018, there were 81,193 young parents and accompanying children (28%) and 43,200 adolescents and young adults presenting alone (16%).

A case study in Geelong (Victoria) showed a significant 40 per cent decrease in adolescents (12–18-year-olds) entering the SHS system. This decrease can be attributed to the early intervention delivered to secondary school students using the Community of Schools and Services (COSS) model to reduce disengagement from education and early school leaving. The COSS model involves collaborative decision-making at executive and worker levels within a community collective of agencies and schools, under a formal memorandum of understanding.

Policy makers are encouraged to redesign systems with a focus on community-level organisation, planning, access and outcomes measurement, and to consider new ways of joining up services and linking homelessness service providers with mainstream agencies such as schools and educational programs. Investment in early intervention and prevention will reduce the flow of young people into homelessness.