Many young people affected by homelessness are determined to continue with the usual activities pursued by those in their age group. In extraordinary circumstances, they aspire to achieve what most Australians consider to be ordinary, achievable goals – completing their education and establishing a career, relationships and a home. Such goals may be ordinary in the sense of commonplace but their achievement against all odds can be extraordinary. The Achieving (extra)ordinary aspirations research was undertaken in 2010-2011 by Victoria University and Melbourne Citymission. It focuses on the experiences of young people who have used the Melbourne Citymission Step Ahead program, reporting on the young people’s views about different aspects of the model, how they experienced it, and what made a difference in their lives