Faith Housing Australia has welcomed Housing Minister Clare O’Neil’s announcement that more than $300 million from the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) Crisis and Transitional Housing program will deliver 520 new homes for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The announcement comes at a critical time, with more than 40,000 children and young people presenting alone to specialist homelessness services each year. In 2024-25, around 40,500 young people aged 12-24 received support.
Faith Housing Australia (FHA), the national peak body representing mission-driven housing and homelessness organisations, said dedicated youth housing can provide the stability and support young people need to move towards independence and long-term housing security.
FHA members including Mission Australia, The Salvation Army and Uniting have extensive experience delivering youth housing and homelessness services across Australia.
FHA CEO Amanda Bailey said:
"Young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness often have fewer resources to draw on at precisely the time they are trying to establish the foundations for their future.
"Investing in dedicated youth housing can change life trajectories, helping young people stay engaged in education, access employment opportunities and build independent lives.
"We particularly welcome the use of capital grants to deliver these homes. Many youth, crisis and transitional housing projects are not suited to debt-based financing, even where there is clear community need.
"This announcement demonstrates what grant funding can deliver. FHA has called on the Albanese Government to build on this approach by redirecting the remaining $300 million currently allocated to concessional loans under the HAFF Crisis and Transitional Housing program into capital grants.
"Doing so would unlock more specialist housing projects and help ensure more young Australians have access to safe, appropriate housing when they need it most."
ENDS
Source: AIHW, Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2024-25.
Contact
Amanda Bailey, CEO, Faith Housing Australia
0429 484 632 or amanda@fha.org.au
Faith Housing Australia is not a housing provider or direct support service. Click here to find crisis services nationwide.