Youth homelessness data shows no change to housing crisis

This year’s annual youth homelessness Snapshot reveals how little has changed for homeless youth across Victoria.

Earlier this week at Parliament in Melbourne, in partnership with MCM – Melbourne City Mission, we ​​released the third annual Victorian Homelessness Snapshot. 

The Snapshot is a unique census that reveals the urgent challenges faced by young people accessing MCM’s homelessness programs. In particular, it highlights the interconnected experiences of young people across four areas that are often treated in silos: family violence, health, education and employment, and persistent homelessness.

It was launched by the Hon Nick Staikos, Minister for Housing, with support from Aunty Muriel Bamblett and Corey Harrison from Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency, Commissioner Ro Allen from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, and young advocates with lived experience of homelessness. 

This year, the Snapshot highlights the regional situation drawing on the experiences of youth in Latrobe, Gippsland and exposes how limited infrastructure and services adversely impacts young people’s outcomes.

The Snapshot revealed:

• Family violence: 5 in 6 young people in Greater Melbourne and three-quarters in Latrobe/Gippsland grew up experiencing family violence.
• Mental health: 1 in 2 young people across Greater Melbourne had attended a hospital emergency department for a mental health concern, with 17% having attended four or more times.
• Self-farm: 3 in 5 young people in Greater Melbourne, and almost half in Latrobe/Gippsland, reported self-harm, suicidal ideation, or a suicide attempt.
• Experience of homelessness: 1 in 3 of the young people in Greater Melbourne and 2 in 5 in Latrobe/Gippsland first experienced homelessness at 16 years or under; and more than half of young people in both regions have been homeless for two years or more.

The Snapshot provides important data in support of a joined up approach across government, the community sector and other key sectors to inform better decisions and investment.

As our evidence review into the impact of youth housing models earlier this year highlighted, with the right supports in place, we can help more young people move from crisis situations and emergency departments back into education, training and employment.

Read MCM Youth Homelesness Snapshot 2026
Read our evidence review into the impact of long term supported youth housing