ABSTRACT
Homeless young people are typically portrayed as leading chaotic, risky lives, trapped in a downward spiral of drug use, mental and other health problems, and long-term homelessness. In this book, based on a longitudinal study conducted in Melbourne, Australia, called Project i, we challenge this stereotype through an examination of young people's pathways into and through homelessness. We describe the complexity of their pathways and identify the factors that make a difference to their lives and especially their capacity to exit homelessness. Remarkably, at the end of two years many young people in our study had found a secure home base. However, others were still grappling with structural, familial and personal impediments that left them unable to shift from their marginalized circumstances.
