Specialist homelessness services annual report 2023–24

Young people presenting alone’ are defined as SHS clients aged 15–24 who presented alone in their first support period in the reporting period.

In recognition of the severe impact that homelessness has on the lives of young Australians, children and young people were a national priority homelessness cohort in the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (CFFR 2018) (see Policy Framework for more information). 

For more information on young people presenting alone to SHS agencies, and the policy landscape and government response, please see Young Clients.

Client characteristics

Figure YOUNG.1: Key demographics, young people presenting alone, 2023–24

Education and enrolment status

In 2023-24, (Supplementary table YOUNG.7):

• Around 3 in 4 (74% or 26,500) young people presenting alone were not enrolled any form of formal education or training. 
• Around 26% or 9,100 young people presenting alone were enrolled in some form of education, with 5,500 in secondary school and 2,000 in vocational education and training.

Service use patterns

The average number of support periods per young person presenting alone has remained at 1.9 support periods per clients each year between 2019–20 and 2023–24 (Supplementary table CLIENTS.48).

In 2023–24:

• The length of support provided to young people presenting alone increased to a median of 66 days from 49 days in 2017–18. This is higher than the median for all SHS clients (58 days in 2023-24).
• The median number of nights accommodated increased to a median of 54 nights from 45 nights in 2017–18. This is higher than the median of all SHS clients (33 nights in 2023-24).

New or returning clients

In 2023–24, around two-fifths (40% or 15,300) of young SHS clients presenting alone were new to SHS services. Around three-fifths (60%) of clients were returning clients, having previously been assisted by a SHS agency at some point since the collection began in July 2011, lower than all SHS returning clients (60% compared with 64% for all SHS clients) (Supplementary table CLIENTS. 2, Supplementary table CLIENTS. 42).

Clients’ needs and main reason for assistance

Main reasons for seeking assistance

The main reason young people presenting alone sought assistance was different for those experiencing homelessness compared with those presenting to services at risk of homelessness. For those clients experiencing homelessness, the most common main reasons for seeking assistance were (Supplementary table YOUNG.6):

• housing crisis (21% or 4,300)
• inadequate or inappropriate dwelling conditions (16% or 3,300)
• relationship or family breakdown (14% or 2,800).

For those at risk of homelessness:

• family and domestic violence (16% or 2,500)
• housing crisis (15% or 2,300)
• financial difficulties (11% or 1,700).

Services needed and provided

Similar to all SHS clients in 2023–24, the majority of young people presenting alone needed general services that were provided by SHS agencies including advice/information, advocacy/liaison on behalf of the client and other basic assistance.

In 2023–24, young people presenting alone requested certain services more than all SHS clients, including (Supplementary tables YOUNG.2, CLIENTS.24):

• living skills/personal development (33%, compared with 16%), with 90% receiving this service.
• employment assistance (19%, compared with 5.8%), with 68% receiving this service.
• educational assistance (19%, compared with 7.8%), with 73% receiving this service.
• transport (27%, compared with 16%), with 90% receiving this service.
• assistance to obtain/maintain government allowance (17%, compared with 6.5%), with 78% receiving this service.
• training assistance (13%, compared with 3.6%), with 65% receiving this service.
• family/relationship assistance (20%, compared with 12%), with 77% receiving this service.

Figure YOUNG.2: Young people presenting alone, by services needed and provided, 2022–23

Housing situation and outcomes

Outcomes presented here highlight the changes in clients’ housing situation at the start and end of support. That is, the place they were residing before and after they were supported by a SHS agency. The information presented is limited only to clients who have stopped receiving support during the financial year, and who were no longer receiving ongoing support from a SHS agency. In particular, information on client housing situations at the start of their first period of support during 2023–24 is compared with the end of their last period of support in 2023–24. As such, this information does not cover any changes to their housing situation during their support period.

In 2023-24, young SHS clients presenting alone were more likely than other clients to be couch surfing at the start of support (29% compared with 15% of all clients) and at end of support (23% compared with 12% of all clients) (Supplementary tables YOUNG.3 and CLIENTS.31).

In 2023–24, of the approximately 13,900 young SHS clients presenting alone who were known to be experiencing homelessness at the start of support (Supplementary table YOUNG.3):

• around 8,900 clients were homeless when support ended, with 4,500 of these couch surfing
• around 2,700 clients were in private housing and 1,100 clients were in public/community housing when support ended

In 2023–24, of the approximately 10,800 young SHS clients presenting alone who were known to be at risk of homelessness at the start of support (Supplementary table YOUNG.3):

• most clients maintained their housing situation when support ended; around 5,900 maintained private housing and around 1,700 clients maintained public/community housing.
• 1,400 clients were experiencing homelessness when support ended, with 660 of these couch surfing.

Figure YOUNG.3: Housing situation for young people presenting alone with closed support, 2023–24