'We’ve been robbed': Young women and gender-diverse people’s housing experiences and solutions

Abstract

This report examines the housing experiences of young women and gender-diverse individuals in Australia, highlighting their struggles with unaffordable and insecure housing, poor living conditions, and unique safety concerns. It identifies how gender-based violence, discrimination, and structural inequalities intersect to create compounded housing challenges for these populations. The report calls for gender-responsive housing policies and offers key recommendations, including increased social housing, better tenant protections, and improved support services for young people facing housing insecurity. Through a gendered and intersectional lens, the report provides a roadmap for addressing these issues and advancing housing equity in Australia.

<br><br>The report discusses violence, particularly gender-based violence, as a key contributor to housing insecurity and homelessness. Gender-based violence, including domestic and family violence, disproportionately affects young women and gender-diverse individuals, leading to an increased risk of housing precarity. Violence is not only a direct cause of homelessness but also exacerbates the challenges of securing safe and affordable housing. The report highlights that women and children who experience violence often face poverty, financial hardship, and job loss, which deepens their housing insecurity. This is compounded by the lack of affordable, accessible, and safe housing options for victims of violence, limiting the effectiveness of policies intended to prevent homelessness. <br><br>Additionally, the intersectionality of violence and other vulnerabilities, such as ethnicity and gender identity, is explored. For instance, LGBTQ+ young people, especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds, experience higher rates of violence and discrimination, leading to homelessness. The report emphasises the need for gender-informed and intersectional approaches to housing policy that address these compounded vulnerabilities. It calls for improved data collection to better understand and respond to the specific needs of gender-diverse and marginalised populations experiencing housing insecurity and violence​.