This Position Paper has been developed by Yfoundations in consultation with a working group of its members in the context of the new funding for social housing announced in the NSW and Commonwealth budgets in 2024/25. The Position Paper is informed by a comprehensive Background Paper which provides detailed analysis of the key issues, challenges and opportunities referred to herein. The Position Paper and Background Paper are also informed by the views expressed by the Yfoundations Youth Homelessness Representative Council as to what constitutes a ‘home’ for young people who have experienced homelessness.

The purposes of this Position Paper are to:

• Identify the need, and requirements, for investment in youth specific housing models;
• Identify the continuum of housing options best suited to addressing the needs of young people at risk of and experiencing homelessness in NSW; and
• Advocate for investment in these models.

Utilising the collective wisdom and expertise of its members, this Paper identifies the core housing related requirements of the forthcoming NSW Child and Youth Homelessness Action Plan to ensure the Plan can most effectively deliver the objective of making child and youth homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.

Yfoundations and its members are committed to working collaboratively with the NSW Government to implement the housing solutions identified in this Position Paper.