An Unequal Foundation: Findings from the Mission Australia 2025 Youth Survey
The Unequal Foundation report, drawing on data from the Mission Australia’s 2025 Youth Survey, explores the experiences of more than 17,000 young people aged 14-19 who have faced homelessness or housing instability. Among respondents who answered questions about their housing status, 3.6% reported experiencing homelessness in the past year, while a further 4.4% reported that they or their family had struggled to find or keep housing. Young people named family or relationship conflict, a lack of affordable housing, and family and domestic violence as the main causes of homelessness and housing instability.
Compared with their peers who had not experienced housing concerns, these young people were more likely to report financial hardship, poorer mental health and wellbeing, weaker support networks, and disruptions to education and employment. The challenges were most acute for young people who experienced homelessness on their own. Despite this, many remained engaged in education, employment and extracurricular activities, and continued to hold positive aspirations for their future.
Based on the findings from the 2025 Youth Survey, Mission Australia advocates for coordinated action for young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability across six priority policy areas:
Boost income support
Expand youth-tailored housing and support services
Fund more early intervention and prevention services
Tackle housing affordability
Support a safe family home
Address youth mental health needs
