Homelessness and Housing Instability Among Care Leavers in Australia: Exploring Housing Pathways and Best Practice Housing Models

Abstract

A significant proportion of young people exiting Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) encounter substantial challenges in securing housing, often leading to homelessness within a few months after leaving care. All Australian jurisdictions have now approved extended care programs up to 21 years; however, none of them currently offer these young people guaranteed accommodation options. This study aims to explore the factors underlying poor housing outcomes among care leavers and to develop a best practice model that complements the extended care framework in Australia, thereby addressing or ameliorating homelessness issues among these young adults. A scoping review of 18 scholarly articles and seven grey literature reports supplemented by ancestral search forms the basis of a thematic analysis. This analysis reveals factors contributing to negative and positive housing outcomes for young people related to OOHC transitional processes in Australia and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. It includes evaluations of the implementation of extended care and of housing programs in these countries. By analysing current extended care policies in each jurisdiction, as well as literature featuring good post-care housing practices both locally and internationally, five key principles have been identified for a best practice model.