Practices effective for assisting young people avoid or exit homelessness: young service recipients' perspectives

In youth homelessness policy, outcomes-based performance management and evidence-based practice predominate. Despite policymakers articulating a need to improve the evidence base to inform service provision for young people vulnerable to homelessness, there are limited evidence-based studies investigating the effectiveness of different service models. Additionally, the voices of homeless young people are often absent or unheard in policy discussions and program development. Underpinned by a practice-based approach and gathering both quantitative and qualitative data, this study investigates the perspectives and experiences of young people involved with an Australian social justice organisation and identifies the practices that they perceive as having the most significant positive impacts on their lives. The views of young people challenge government policy settings which this study suggests do not give sufficient weight to key indicators such as a sense of belonging, control over one's life and hope for the future or to relationships embedded in long-term, holistic, integrated care. In order to improve policy and practice, it's critical that the voices and knowledge of young people with lived experience are heard by decision and policymakers.