[+] Youth Homelessness Solution Courts Investors to Scale Up

A social housing movement tackling youth homelessness has proven its worth. Now it needs capital partners to ensure more young Australians get a chance. The social housing in question are youth foyers, integrated learning and accommodation settings for people, typically aged 16 to 24, who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Foyers can be delivered in partnership with the Federal and state governments, as well as the private sector, and aim to lead to long-term stability and success for young people, benefiting communities and the broader economy. But while the good will for these projects is being built nationally, the sector needs continued funding to reach its ambitious targets. Investing in a growth strategy to create 50 youth foyers by 2030 would, according to the Foyer Foundation, potentially transform the lives of 20,000 young people experiencing cycles of disadvantage. It could also save taxpayers $950 million by 2030 and $2.9 billion by 2040, the foundation, a national for-purpose organisation creating safe and stable places to live, says. Foundation chief executive Liz Cameron-Smith says the goal is an ambitious but necessary one. “There are currently 16 accredited youth foyers and another 11 under construction so we’re making great progress,” she says. ▲ There are currently 16 youth forums and 11 more in the works across Australia. “However, right now there are about 30 youth foyer projects still seeking investment. There’s simply such huge demand by communities everywhere.” This year’s Federal Budget included an additional $1 billion for the National Housing Infrastructure Facility. The Foyer Foundation is seeking $184 million of that to build 10 new youth foyers as soon as possible. “Our job at the Foyer Foundation is to really look at how we can think innovatively about different types of investments and the private sector has a really important role to play in the future of youth foyers,” Cameron-Smith says. “So far we’ve seen a good relationship between governments and the private sector and a real openness to various financial models and investment structures to make it possible.” The Queensland Government announced in February that it was making a $320-million commitment to social housing for young people which would fund a eight youth foyers across the state. The first will be built at Cairns, Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay. Queensland already has youth foyers on the Gold Coast and at Logan. A 40-bed facility opened in Townsville this week. The Townsville Youth Foyer, operated by Mission Australia, is next to NRL Cowboys House, a culturally safe boarding facility for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women, creating pathways for First Nations school students to transition to the next stage of their education and career. ▲ The Townsville youth forum, operated by Mission Australia, opened this week. Safe, secure, affordable Mission Australia chief executive Sharon Callister said Mission Australia ’ s Townsville Youth Foyer “will provide vital support and play a big part in addressing youth homelessness in Townsville”. “ This is a safe, secure and affordable place to live and study, where young people are also supported as part of the program to develop their skills, independence and resources needed to achieve their personal goals and step into a brighter future,” Callister says. Independent analysis by Accenture Economic Insights found that every dollar invested by governments in a youth foyer generated an additional $6 in benefits. According to the Under One Roof report, commissioned by the Foyer Foundation, youth foyer programs produce $172,000 in savings to governments per person. This saving can be attributed to reductions in housing, health, welfare and justice costs throughout a young person ’ s life. More than 80 per cent of youth foyer residents exit into safe and stable housing, 65 per cent gain secure and employment and they are 60 per cent less likely to be involved in the justice system. From homeless to homeowner Matt Jobling, transitional worker at the Education First youth foyer Berry Street, in Victoria’s Shepparton, says the daily function of a foyer goes far beyond bricks and mortar. “To reside with us young people must be enrolled in education or alternative schooling like an apprenticeship, and we allocatee them a specialised worker, or coach,” Jobling says. “This helps them work on personal goals, whether that’s to reconnect with family, purchase a home, go a private rental or relocate for further studies or employment. “There’s a long waiting list for ours and other foyers, especially as since the pandemic we’ve seen the rental market and cost of living pressures increase significantly. “As a result, we’ve obviously got more young people at risk of being homeless.” Jobling says that Berry Street has purpose-built education, employment, health, wellbeing, living and housing programs to help people find their own path after two years at the foyer. “A support worker will start working with the young person early enough to identify what it takes to make a successful rental application or even purchase a home,” Joblins says. “They'll create tailored workshops in group settings or one-on-one. “Since we opened eight years ago, we’ve had seven young people purchase homes. “We’ve had probably about 70 go into private rentals.” Designed for success Architect Marcus Baumgart, a director at BCBA, has designed several youth foyers. He says need to foster atmosphere, be inspiring to their tenants and offer good connections. “These are quite high-end residential templates. They’re meant to look like attractive apartment buildings, not like institutions,” Baumgart says. “The facilities are designed in a way that there is a high degree of transparency between staff areas and resident spaces, and although they’re staffed around the clock, staff understand that they’re occupying someone's home.” ▲ A render of the BCA-designed Common Ground youth foyer at Wagga Wagga. Baumgart said BCBA’s philosophy is to ask “what can inspire residents to imagine a better future?” and “what will inspire them to adopt this place as their home?”. “The point is not just getting someone a roof over their head. That’s been done in the past with dormitory accommodation, but it doesn't actually give people a pathway out of homelessness,” he says. “It’s just a Band-Aid. The youth foyer model was imported from the UK and France because it has been so effective in terms of those future pathways to independence.” He says that personal studio spaces can be comfortable and highly functional for residents from just 26sq m with approximately 40 units per project considered to be the “sweet spot” for density. “The answer will not be in gimmicks or the inclusion of superficial features or facilities,” he says. “It will be in the provision of an excellent standard of housing and spacious, light-filled communal areas, designed for functionality.” You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. Click here to learn more.

[+] Youth Homelessness Solution Courts Investors to Scale Up

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