Halving the rate of youth homelessness – extending foster care

July 6, 2018

The Victorian Government has announced that it will commit $11.6 million to extend foster care to 21, joining similar decisions in South Australia and Tasmania. Prior to this, young Victorians in out-of-home care lost their State support on or before their 18^th birthday, leaving them entirely on their own.

While half of all 18-24 year olds living with one or more parents have never left the family home, over a third of those leaving state care are homeless in their first year. This is a major cause of youth homelessness, and international data shows that extending care until 21 halves the rate of homelessness. Will other States follow suit?