Overview

An increasing number of under 18-year-olds in Australia are homeless and for a variety of reasons are not supported financially or emotionally by their families. Some of them are still at school. This Policy Background Paper looks at the needs of such young people, critically examines Commonwealth government policies which affect them, and outlines issues which governments and the community must face if the needs of unsupported, homeless youth are to be met. Special attention is given to the Young Homeless Allowance which, the authors argue, is too restrictive in its definition of homelessness, provides an inadequate level of income support, and relegates many young people to live in poverty.

Policy background paper (Australian Institute of Family Studies) no. 7