Abstract
Aiming to bring youth voices to the forefront and explore implications for policy and practice, this research examined open‐ended survey responses of young people ( N = 1306) who had experienced housing deprivation in the previous 12 months as to what they would most like to change in their home and family life. Using reflexive thematic analysis, six themes were generated: Young people desire (i) affordable, and preferably independently owned, homes suitable for their families in safe neighbourhoods; (ii) enough money for their family to be able to cover the basics of life; (iii) togetherness as a family; (iv) feeling loved, safe and supported in homes that are free of family violence; and (v) independence and choice in their lives. Despite experiencing housing deprivation, (vi) some young people did not wish to change anything in their home and family lives, often describing contentment within loving and secure families. Findings for rangatahi Māori were thematically similar to those observed across participants overall. The findings indicate that change is needed within New Zealand's housing, employment and social sectors to promote equity, financial stability and healthful living conditions that support young people and their families to thrive.