Young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability are significantly more likely to face challenges across multiple areas of their lives, according to new findings from Mission Australia’s 2025 Youth Survey.
The An Unequal Foundation report draws on responses from more than 17,000 young people aged 14 to 19. Among respondents who answered questions about their housing situation, 3.6% reported experiencing homelessness in the past year, while a further 4.4% said they or their family had struggled to find or keep housing.
Family or relationship conflict, a lack of affordable housing, and family and domestic violence were identified as the leading causes of homelessness and housing instability.
The report found that young people without safe and secure housing are more likely to experience financial hardship, poorer mental health and disruptions to their education than their peers.
Young people experiencing homelessness on their own face even greater challenges, reporting poorer mental health, greater concerns for their safety and weaker support networks.
Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said the findings highlight the urgent need for action.
“The findings from Mission Australia’s 2025 Youth Survey show that too many young people are starting life without a secure home — an unequal foundation that affects every part of their lives.
“Young people without safe and secure housing show extraordinary strength as they continue going to school or work while living with the daily stress of not knowing where they’ll sleep, whether they’ll have enough to eat, or what tomorrow will bring.”
More than half of young people who experienced homelessness said they did not access housing support services, or were unsure whether they had.
Mission Australia is calling for increased investment in youth-specific housing, youth homelessness services and early intervention programs, alongside greater investment in social and affordable housing.
“Youth homelessness is preventable. When we intervene early and provide tailored support before a crisis point is reached, we can help young people stay safely housed and build stable futures,” Ms Callister said.
The organisation says a coordinated approach is needed to help ensure all young people have access to a safe and stable home.