Western Housing for Youth began in 1979 by providing housing for young women who could not live at home. It was a pilot program and was called Western Aftercare Flats.

The program was successful and has continued to grow. Today it provides 38 beds across a range of houses and bedsits with a staff of two full time and two part time workers.

WHY has 25 beds for young people in shared accommodation. They are provided as 3 x 4 bedroom, 3 x 3 bedroom and 2 x 2 bedroom properties through the Office of Community Housing Capital Assistance Program and 1 x 3 bedroom property rented from Parramatta Council.

WHY has 6 bedsits through Housing NSW. The bedsits are offered to current long-term tenants of WHY who have, through their time at the service, developed the skills and demonstrated the ability to live independently. Many of the tenants who have been through the bedsits go on to community housing.

WHY has 2 full-time and 1 part-time Youth Housing Workers. They work from an office in Harris Park.

WHY is managed by a Board of Directors made up of community members and workers from other services. Tenants and ex-tenants are encouraged to participate.

WHY is funded under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, and is also a registered charity.