Youth homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract Background There are important links between homelessness and health. Serious illness, mental health issues and addiction are known pathways to homelessness. Housing instability also affects physical wellbeing, mental health and injury risk, including for young people, with long-term consequences. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), the official definition of homelessness is broad, including those without shelter and in temporary accommodation. Census data shows homelessness is not evenly distributed, with Māori (Indigenous) disproportionately affected. However, homeless young people remain largely invisible. This study provides novel data on youth homelessness in NZ and associations with broader context. Methods At the 12-year data wave of the longitudinal Growing Up in New Zealand study, mothers of 4,500 participants were asked if they had experienced homelessness in the last four years. Descriptive and bivariate analyses examined homelessness and related sociodemographic, family, and contextual factors. Results Our novel measurement tool identified that 7% (n = 319) of young people experienced recent homelessness, with diverse types reported. Experiences varied by (p < .001): ethnicity - Māori (15%) families were more affected; deprivation (18%); severe material hardship (32%); and housing tenure - living in public housing at age 8 (22%) was strongly associated. High residential mobility, especially involuntary moves (24%), increased risk, compared to moves for practical (13%) or improvement reasons (10%). Conclusions In NZ, housing security is undermined by unaffordability, low incomes, high living costs, and limited housing support. These contribute to the youth homelessness and associated inequities demonstrated in this study. Resulting health and wellbeing impacts-such as disrupted education and social support-are significant. Youth homelessness in NZ must be made visible to better prevent this experience and address consequences for wellbeing and health equity. Key messages • An unacceptable proportion of youth, particularly Indigenous, in Aotearoa New Zealand experience homelessness. • Understanding patterns of youth homelessness in NZ is critical to effectively prevent homelessness and life-long consequences including for health equity.