‘I feel like my luck's going to run out soon’: Youth Citizenship and Housing Responses to Homelessness in South Australia

Abstract

The rise of Youth Housing Models (YHMs) can be attributed to a demand for medium term supported housing options for young people who are unable to rely on ongoing economic and habitual support from their families. This thesis explores the foundations of YHMs and the increasing trend for responses to youth homelessness to go beyond housing and include connection to education and employment. In order to understand this shift in public policy, this thesis seeks to unfurl what it means to be a ‘good citizen’ in modern Australian society and how this definition impacts on the service options available to young people experiencing homelessness. Throughout, the voices of the young people who reside in these YHMs provide a touchstone to connect theory with practice, resulting in the identification of four main focus points. These are: initial perceptions of the YHMs for the young person and service providers, the role of housing and home as a foundation for citizenship, the way YHMs affected the development of young people’s independent living skills and the aspirations and realities for the young person after they leave the YHM. Overall, YHMs have the capacity to provide necessary support to young people who are no longer able to reside in the family home, however, this research found that to be effective YHMs need to offer a home rather than solely a roof over the young person’s head. According to the young people interviewed, this sense of home was best provided by having someone on site they could contact as needed and a physical structure that allowed for both common areas and individual space. The young people also valued support to develop practical skills as well as build capacity to identify and articulate their needs in a way that allows them to ask for support when needed. But most importantly, there was demand for housing support to last beyond twelve months, providing the young person time to stabilize themselves and find the sort of employment that would allow them to afford a safe and stable housing alternative.