Youth Homelessness Strategy for Victoria

Summary

AHURI Professional Services, in collaboration with Melbourne City Mission (MCM), undertook a literature and practice review, delivered a Positioning Paper and convened an Investigative Panel to inform a Final Report outlining the strategic policy framework required to support young people experiencing homelessness in Victoria most effectively.
 

What we delivered

AHURI delivered a Positioning Paper and Final Report for Melbourne City Mission.

The Final Report presented the research findings for the project Towards a Youth Homelessness Strategy for Victoria. The Final Report synthesised the findings of the Positioning Paper and the deliberations of the Investigative Panel facilitated by AHURI.

The Positioning Paper reviewed the existing Victorian youth homelessness system and policy environment that guides the delivery of support services available to young people experiencing homelessness. Findings of the Positioning Paper showed that the current policy environment has been ineffective in reducing youth homelessness, support systems are fragmented and there are deficits in present service delivery. Recommendations of the Positioning Paper include the need for developing a youth-specific homelessness strategy in Victoria and presents key components that should inform the development of a new strategy and service responses.

The findings and recommendations of the Positioning Paper formed the basis of a focused panel discussion between sector leaders and the policy community (Investigative Panel) that considered what strategic policy framework is required to support young people experiencing homelessness in Victoria most effectively.
 

Outcome for client

The Positioning Paper and Final Report aims to support MCM, together with other actors in the sector, as they consider what strategic policy framework is required to assist Victoria’s young people experiencing homelessness.
 

Impact of the work

The research undertaken by AHURI has become a foundational piece of evidence to ensuring that the needs of young people experiencing homelessness are recognised and included in the emerging policy landscape in Victoria