WA youth homelessness hits breaking point, igniting emergency plea for action

WA's housing and homelessness organisations

New evidence compiled by WA’s frontline homelessness services reveals that dozens of young people are competing for one available crisis bed in Perth every night.

Across the Perth metro region:

On average, 69 unaccompanied children and young people (16-25 year olds) compete for one available bed every night
There are only 32 youth crisis beds, but the city needs three times as many to also accommodate every young person on the Perth By-Name List who is rough sleeping
Demand for crisis accommodation is highest among 21-25 year olds, but they are eligible for only five of the 32 beds, and must also compete with teenagers for them.

These figures significantly understate demand, counting only young people filling the crisis beds and those identified as rough sleepers on the Perth By-Name List.

Separate figures from AIHW show more than 700 unaccompanied children and young people experience homelessness in WA on any given day.

In response, a coalition of peak bodies, frontline services and young people is urging the State Government to prioritise ending youth homelessness.

YACWA and YHAC, Shelter WA, WACOSS, WAAEH, Mission Australia WA, Vinnies WA, and Indigo Junction’s joint pre-budget submission calls for investment in housing models and prevention initiatives.

The groups’ top priority is to implement a Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) model. Other key priorities include establishing three additional Youth Foyers and expanding crisis accommodation.

The organisations will hold a joint press conference on Monday 17 November, 10.30am at Crooked Spire Coffee and Art House, 71 Victoria Street, Midland, where the media is invited to attend a youth homelessness forum (10am - 1pm).

Vinnies WA CEO Ann Curran said: “On any given night in Perth, young Western Australians must compete for a single crisis bed. Our frontline workers are stretched to their limits, trying to hold the line. The cost of inaction isn’t just economic, it’s the loss of young lives and futures. We need Housing First for Youth.”

Indigo Junction CEO Sharon Gough said: “Far too many young people are being turned away from homelessness services due to a severe shortage of beds, complex needs, and, in some cases, restrictive entry criteria. Most children experiencing homelessness are unaccompanied without a parent or guardian. Support systems must offer a range of options, prioritising low-barrier services and the provision of Housing First for Youth.”

Mission Australia State Director WA Sue Budalich said: “Young people should be thinking about their future, friends and family. They shouldn’t have to worry about where they are going to sleep tonight.”

Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) Interim Chief Executive Officer Kylie Wallace said: "As the wealthiest state in Australia, the WA community would expect that if a young person experiences homelessness, funded services are there to provide a safe bed and the support they need. In reality, many are turned away every day because there are no beds for them. Access to accommodation should be guaranteed, it's not a ‘nice to have’."

YACWA’s Youth Homelessness Advisory Council (YHAC) Youth Advocate Sully said: “When you’re couch surfing or sleeping rough, you take any option you can get, you move around from place to place. It’s hard to get the right support and things start falling apart. It causes more inconsistency."

Facts and figures:

More than 700 unaccompanied children and young people experience homelessness in WA on any given day
There are no available affordable rental properties in WA for a single person over 18 receiving Youth Allowance
Nationally, young people aged 18–24 make up about one in three clients who are both working and experiencing homelessness
Across Australia, a young person aged 15–24 who accessed homelessness support died every six days in 2022–23. Suicide was the top cause of death for all people under 24.

Key priorities from the pre-budget submission include:

Expanding housing options for young people, including Housing First for Youth, crisis accommodation, and Youth Foyers
Strengthening prevention and early intervention initiatives, such as Place-Based Youth Service Hubs
Building the capacity and coordination of the youth homelessness sector
Ensuring the voices of young people with lived experience are embedded in policy and service design.

Definitions of sector asks:

Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) model - Prioritises immediate, safe, secure and sustainable homes without preconditions or judgement, alongside tailored youth-specialist support for young people aged 10–24 experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Direct Access Crisis Housing - Short-term emergency (crisis) accommodation providing immediate, low-barrier access for young people (aged 15–24) who are at imminent risk of or experiencing homelessness, offering safe shelter and connection to longer-term housing and supports.
Youth Foyer - A transitional housing and support model for young people (aged 16–24) who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, offering accommodation (typically up to two years or until independent housing is secured) with integrated supports in education, training, employment and independent living skills.
Place-Based Youth Service Hubs - Community-led service hubs for young people (aged 10–24) that provide co-located, wrap-around supports (housing, mental health, education, employment, recreation) and essential amenities (meals, showers, social connection) within a youth-friendly, place-based environment.
Safe Space services - Non-accommodation after hours early-intervention support services for young people (aged 10–24).
Youth Zero Project - Funding to support the project implementation, using the AtoZ framework to coordinate service integration, maintain a By-Name List, and drive a Housing First, data-led response to ending youth homelessness.

Contact details:

Sofie Wainwright 0403 920 301 // Lauren Ferri: 0422 581 506