Housed youth commit less crime: study
New research looked at the relationship between emergency housing, public housing, accommodation supplements and the involvement of the youth justice system.
Lead author and University of Otago (Wellington) public health research fellow Dr Chang Yu said the study found clear links between housing deprivation and alleged youth offending.
"We found offending decreased significantly among young people living in public housing or receiving the accommodation supplement, compared with the general population.
"Emergency housing, which provides accommodation for seven nights, remains a highly debated model, attracting both support and criticism.
"This study adds to the debate by showing that emergency housing does not appear to reduce youth offending."
Dr Yu said the research, published in Urban Policy and Research, underscored the importance of stability in housing assistance.
Compared with the general youth population, the study found three years after moving into public housing, alleged offences reduced by 11.7% and court charges among young people reduced by 10.9%.
Rates of alleged offending also decreased by 13% among those receiving an accommodation supplement, and court charges decreased by 8.6%.
Dr Yu said the study found Māori and Pacific youth faced systemic disadvantages in both the housing and justice systems.
"Housing deprivation is closely linked to justice sector involvement.
"This suggests that youth offending cannot be addressed in isolation from housing conditions.
"Addressing structural inequities in housing is essential for meaningful justice reform."
He believed stable housing played a crucial role in promoting social cohesion and reducing risk factors associated with youth offending.
"The security provided by guaranteed housing enables young people to more consistently attend school and establish strong community bonds, resulting in them being more engaged at school and better supported socially.
"Studies have also shown that having a stable home may lead to parents having more time to spend with their children, resulting in stronger parent-child bonds, and better emotional and physical wellbeing for the child."
He said the research had important implications.
"Especially as the government restructures Kāinga Ora and considers the future of public housing provision.
"A 2019 Ministry of Justice report called for a 'fundamental reshaping of New Zealand's justice system' to reduce harm and support community restoration.
"Our findings support this vision."
He said the study was "a starting point" for future research in the area and researchers had already started work on analysing how housing assistance impacts perceived quality of life, certain types of youth offending, education and school attendance.
"This work could, for example, enable policymakers to prioritise housing assistance for individuals with specific offending histories."
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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