Homeless Youth Assistance Program | Samaritans

Homeless youth support

We support unaccompanied young people at risk of homelessness through our Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP). This includes brokerage funds, outreach case management, and support coordination.

What is HYAP?

The Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP) is a brokerage and support service for the community sector supporting unaccompanied young people aged 12-15 years. The primary objective of the HYAP program is family restoration.

HYAP is available to support unaccompanied young people who are connected to a Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) or Non-SHS in the Hunter and New England Area Health Districts.

Who we support

HYAP is available to support unaccompanied young people who:

Are at risk of homelessness
Are disengaged in education
Have mental health concerns
Are impacted by domestic violence, trauma and/or family breakdown
Had interaction with the justice system.

Case Management and Coordination
Samaritans HYAP can provide family restoration and counselling with a case worker. The Case Coordinator can provide assistance to services and find support for the unaccompanied young person.

How to access HYAP

A service can apply for brokerage on behalf of a young person at risk in the following ways:

SHS Services can make a direct application to HYAP via Client Information Management System (CIMS) referral.

HYAP requires all unaccompanied young people who are referred for brokerage funding to have a case plan and be supported by a caseworker. As they will be unaccompanied, there will need to be a Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) helpline report number listed on the referral.

Call or email HYAP to request the information pack to guide you through the referral process.