Breaking the cycle of homelessness

New data shows Melbourne areas with greatest need for Education First-solution to youth homelessness

On Thursday, 25 July 2024, Launch Housing released a prospectus showing the areas in Greater Melbourne most in need of an Education First Youth Foyer – a demonstrated solution to youth homelessness that keeps young people housed, supported and safe while they complete their education.

Western Melbourne, Darebin, Dandenong, Casey and the Werribee/Geelong region emerged as clear priority areas.

The Education First Youth Foyer (EFYF) model, which was pioneered in Melbourne by community housing and homelessness services provider Launch Housing and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, in partnership with the Victorian Government, offers young people aged 16-24 at risk of or experiencing homelessness, a safe place to live while they complete their studies. They also provide on-site supports that equip young people with the skills to lead an independent life.

Across the country, over 38,000 young people aged 15-24 presented to Specialist Homelessness Services in 2022-23. One third of these were First Nations young people and overall, almost two-thirds were female. 48% of young people who came to a Specialist Homelessness Service were experiencing mental health issues. 73% were not engaged in any form of education or training.

Education, training and employment must be included in any response to youth homelessness.

Released to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of Launch Housing’s Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer, the prospectus includes results of the Priority Index Tool which identifies the parts of Melbourne most in need of this innovative and proven solution to youth homelessness.

Developed by Launch Housing and data scientist Kenn Coleman, the tool cross-references a range of data sets from each Local Government Area in Victoria including rates of homelessness, family violence, high-school completion, 12-months post year 12 data, and forecasted youth population growth, overlayed with TAFE campus locations to identify where new EFY Foyers could have the most impact.

“Western Melbourne, Darebin, Dandenong, Casey and the Werribee/Geelong region emerged as the clear priority areas. As the youth population grows and as the drivers towards homelessness continue, our data shows the demand and need from the local community for supported solutions like Education First Youth Foyers will only increase,” said Rebecca Lee, Launch Housing’s Manager of Youth Foyer Development.

578 young people have graduated from Launch Housing’s two EFY Foyers, and they’re calling for partnerships with the government and community to deliver more.

“When you don’t have a safe place to sleep and when you lack social support, engaging in education is an almost impossible challenge. Leaving school early is largely framed as a problem for educators and schools, while youth homelessness is often framed simplistically as purely a housing problem. But there is a demonstrated relationship between young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and disruption to education,” said Rebecca Lee.

“All the evidence shows that Foyers work, with 84 % of young people employed or enrolled in education when they leave,” said Rebecca Lee.

Youth Foyers first emerged in Europe and were popularised in the UK during the 1990s. Australia’s first Youth Foyer opened in Sydney in 2003 and today there are 16 accredited youth foyers across the country, but the Education First model was pioneered by Launch Housing here in Melbourne.

“We are celebrating the anniversary of the Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer, but we are also celebrating our role as pioneers of this innovative Education First model that changes the trajectory for young people. These foyers are proof that there are solutions that work, and evidence of the power of partnerships between the not-for-profit sector, State Government, local councils, educational institutions and the community,” said Rebecca Lee.

“We’re incredibly proud of our Education First Youth Foyers and this significant milestone. The foyers go to the heart of the work we do with young people at BSL every day – helping to provide a route out of poverty for those experiencing disadvantage by supporting them to access the resources, opportunities and networks they need to not just survive, but thrive,” said Travers McLeod, Executive Director, the Brotherhood of St. Laurence who have partnered with Launch Housing to pioneer Education First Youth Foyers in Melbourne.

“Over the past ten years, the Education First Youth Foyer at Kangan Institute Broadmeadows has made a significant impact in the lives of young people though housing, support services and a strong connection to education and community. We are honoured to partner with the Foyer to empower many of its residents with the skills and training they need for fulfilling careers,” said Sally Curtain, CEO, Kangan Institute.

The Prospectus is a call to all potential partners, Government and the community to invest in the future of young people. ”It’s humbling to reunite with the young people whose lives have been so profoundly shaped by their time at the Foyer – young people who have overcome a tough beginning who are now firefighters, educators, working in medicine, retail, and even running for local council. They’re starting families, buying their first homes, managing in the tough private rental market as confident, independent adults,” said Rebecca Lee.

The Prospectus was launched at the Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer at Thursday July 25.

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Housing and Acting Minister for Youth Harriet Shing

“Launch Housing’s work in this program over the last ten years is providing care, dignity, and safety for young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. We are determined to continue our support for programs like this and the educational services they deliver.”

“We know that the Youth Foyer model is working across the state – and the stable housing that the Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer provides to young people at risk of homelessness enables them to move from surviving, to reaching their potential and thriving.”

Quotes attributable to Liz Cameron-Smith, CEO of the Foyer Foundation

“Kangan Education First Youth Foyer at Broadmeadows is one of 16 accredited Youth Foyers nationally. Pioneers in the Australian Foyer landscape, Launch Housing and partners have led the way in the development and evaluation of the Education First Youth Foyer model. This model is predicated on the idea that education is the cornerstone of a successful and meaningful future for young people – without education, it’s hard for a young person to get a job and maintain housing,”

“We know that Youth Foyers work and that’s why we’re working with Launch Housing and others across the country to achieve our goal of 50 Foyers by 2030 so that more young people can go on to live thriving futures.”

Media contact

Alexa Tsoulis-Reay

Phone – 0447 964 899

Email – [email protected]

Interview opportunities

Rebecca Lee, Service Manager, Youth Foyer Development, Launch Housing

Phil and Kayla, Graduates of Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer