The National Data Collection Agency (NDCA) collates data for all agencies across Australia funded under the Supported Assistance Accommodation Program (SAAP) who provide services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In 2004-2005 young people accessing SAAP services in Australia, aged 12 to 24 years, accounted for 34% (34,400) of all clients in SAAP services.

In NSW in 2004-2005, it was found that 9000 young people were homeless on any one night.

It is found that young people under the age of 25 years were twice as likely to access SAAP services as those aged over 25 years, but were also turned away with no available services 53% of the time.

It is also found that 1 in 51 ( a total of 56,800) children in the population across Australia had accessed SAAP services in 2004-2005 via parent/s contacting agencies.

A range of factors cause young people's homelessness and these factors occur at both the individual level and at the broader social and economic level, including:

Family conflict or breakdown - This can be exacerbated by issues of drug or alcohol dependence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, lack of parental support, sexual preference, ill health or pregnancy. The breakdown of family support is proven to impact substantially on the capacity of a young person to transition to independent living.

Lack of work or educational opportunities - The loss of traditional employment opportunities for people who have limited education has meant that unemployment levels for youth are substantially higher than for any other section of the community. Without qualifications, young people are at a distinct disadvantage in finding employment in an increasingly competitive labour market. For many young people, entering employment is a significant step in entering adulthood and independence. Research on young people leaving care has shown that 12 months after discharge 44 per cent of this group were unemployed, compared with 27 per cent amongst 15 -19 year olds in the general community. Without appropriate income, young people are at greater risk of homelessness.

Drug and alcohol dependency - The Drug Policy Expert Committee has reported that increasing numbers of youth are engaging in illicit drug use at early ages. The trend for young people to begin using drugs at an earlier age will have long term impacts on family support, health, housing, wider support systems and capacity to maintain education and obtain employment.

Severe economic hardship while facing independence - Young people often lack a sufficient or sustainable income necessary to access or maintain appropriate housing. Despite little difference in housing and living costs for a person living independently at any age, Commonwealth income support varies considerably between persons under the age of 18 and those over 18.