Nick Found a Home After 4 Years of Youth Homelessness

Nick was 16 when he became homeless, beginning a four-year journey through crisis shelters and temporary housing that he says nearly cost him his life. Today, he's attending university and thriving in permanent housing, proof that targeted support works when young people can actually access it.

His path to stability was grueling. Nick bounced between two crisis refuges before spending almost three years in medium-term accommodation, all while waiting for priority housing that finally came through in March 2024.

"The system is an ever-long waiting list," Nick explained. First he waited to speak with someone about his needs, then waited again for crisis accommodation, a process that can stretch for months.

Nearly 700 young people in Australia's Capital Territory sought homelessness support last year. Less than half got access to housing, with many turned away without referrals or assistance.

The problem isn't just a shortage of beds. Community housing providers receive 46 percent less rent when they house young people compared to adults on other income support, making it financially unviable to help those who need it most.

"It means that some of our existing housing supports simply bypass young people who need it," said Corinne Dobson, chief executive of ACT Shelter. The rental income gap doesn't even cover basic operational costs of maintaining a tenancy.

The Bright Side

Advocates are now pushing for a targeted youth housing supplement to eliminate this financial penalty. The Home Time Campaign is calling on federal and territorial governments to address the disparity so new housing investments actually benefit people under 22.

Nick's transformation shows what's possible when support finally arrives. Beyond just having a roof over his head, he learned essential life skills like cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a tenancy while recovering from severe health challenges.

"I was so unwell and if I didn't get the assistance then you probably wouldn't be speaking to me," he said. His life fundamentally changed once he found stable housing.

Now employed and attending university, Nick has gained freedoms most people take for granted. "When you're not worrying about some of those more basic things, it gives you the freedom that you don't think about," he said.

The solution is clear and achievable: close the funding gap so housing providers can afford to help young people without losing money, giving thousands more the chance Nick finally got.