Abstract
Housing is one of the most important elements in the life trajectories of young people leaving state care. The provision of safe, secure and affordable accommodation is closely associated with an enhanced sense of well-being, and educational and employment success (Wade & Dixon 2006). Yet for young people leaving care, accessing and maintaining accommodation is one of the most challenging tasks they face (McDowall 2008). In Australia, young people are severely disadvantaged by the structure of the housing market -high unemployment and their low wages relative to housing costs means that they have limited housing opportunities. The lack of accommodation options for care leavers has significant implications for both Federal and State governments who have made a commitment to reduce the number of young people who exit care into homelessness (FaHCSIA 2008a). This chapter examines the different housing experiences of care leavers as part of their overall transition from care.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Young People Leaving State Out-of-home Care |
Subtitle of host publication | a research-based study of Australian policy and practice |
Editors | Philip Mendes, Guy Johnson, Badal Moslehuddin |
Place of Publication | North Melbourne, V.I.C. |
Publisher | Australian Scholarly Publishing |
Chapter | 8 |
Pages | 140-168 |
Number of pages | 29 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781921875182 |
ISBN (Print) | 1921875186 |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |