The Youth Accommodation Association is a peak body that seeks to advocate for and improve access to support services for young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in NSW. YAA does this by supporting youth accommodation and support services in NSW to have the resources and support that they need to get on with their work.

From its initial inception in 1987, then known as the Youth Refuge Action Group, YAA has sought to represent the needs of young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and those services who support them.

The Association is a network of member services working with young people, government organisations, concerned individuals, and other organizations that may deal with young people. What joins us together is the conviction to ensure that young people receive appropriate support through a comprehensive youth housing and support system.

By working with a range of NGO’s, Government departments & Community members, YAA has sought to develop a range of policies to improve the service provision to youth accommodation services & to keep youth homelessness firmly on the political agenda. YAA works closely with other peak organizations such as Homelessness ACT/NSW, The Women’s Refuge Resource Centre & the Youth Action Policy Association (YAPA) among others. We work on a National level through the National Youth Coalition of Housing & the Homelessness Australia.

YAA has developed into four key service delivery areas in its effort to advocate for young homeless people  and to develop the sector through service capacity development.

Policy and Structural Advocacy

Advocacy and policy responses to issues relevant to service providers and community members effected by homelessness.

Youth Emergency Accommodation Line (YEAL)

A register of vacancies for emergency and semi supported accommodation services as well as some individualised support for young people to access suitable accommodation in NSW. YEAL also produces a comprehensive directory of youth housing and support services in NSW.

Health Outreach Team (HOT)

The Health Outreach Team is a health promotion service that aims to build the capacity of workers who work with young homeless people to respond to key health related issues.

Temporary Auspice Projects (TAP)

Temporary Auspice of youth accommodation services with the view to building a sustainable and best practice sector for young homeless people.

For further information about these services and more please click on the links to the left of this page or contact YAA on (02) 9698 5833.

Click here to view a copy of the YAA constitution.