Great Southern Youth Foyer
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WA’s major regional cities are experiencing a housing availability crisis.
The strong economic conditions, jobs growth and the impact of the Covid pandemic has contributed to a population influx into regional communities. In Albany, this has meant a rental vacancy rate of just 0.5%. To put this in perspective, a vacancy rate of below 1% is considered a market failure and is likely to increase homelessness, deter migration and act as a barrier to economic growth.
Short-term home rentals (Airbnb) have also absorbed a proportion of stock previously available for long term renting. In October 2021, only 22 rental properties were available for long term rental in Albany, however, there were more than 100 properties listed on Airbnb.
This impacts Albany’s most vulnerable community members, including young people who are locked out of the rental market, and who require a greater level of wrap-around support.
There is no transitional housing for young people in the region.
Albany has only one youth crisis accommodation facility - AYSA’s Young House which has eight crisis beds. In 2021, 134 young people contacted Young House for support, and Young House is consistently at capacity throughout the year. Young people can stay at the refuge for three months; however, this is not long enough to help them make long-term changes and transition into adulthood in a holistic way.
Young people in the region need support to achieve their aspirations.
For young people experiencing disadvantage, more effort is required to keep them engaged with education and provide access to community-based activities to build skills, confidence, and social capital. This includes coaching, mentoring, work experience and supporting young people’s informed choice to attend university or TAFE, get an apprenticeship or a job. The Great Southern Youth Foyer would provide young people with the stability, connections and support needed for them to build a future outside of the homelessness and welfare systems.
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Young people who experience homelessness are particularly vulnerable. Compared to older cohorts, young people have distinctive pathways into, and experiences of homelessness. Youth homelessness not only damages young people's relationships but also their physical and mental health, and prospects of thriving in education and finding employment. It also drastically increases the risk of chronic homelessness in adulthood. By providing young people with stable accommodation, education, training, and employment opportunities in a supportive environment, Youth Foyers help break the cycle of homelessness and provide young people with the skills they need to lead fulfilling, independent, and productive lives.
A proven solution with benefits across key life domains.
A five-year longitudinal study of the three Education First Youth (EFY) Foyers in Victoria conducted between 2013 and 2018, found that after participating in the program:
85% of people were in work or education in the year after their exit.
The number who had completed at least Year 12 or a Certificate III increased from 42% at entry to 67% at exit and to 75% a year after exit.
Half of young people reported better mental health after leaving the program.
The number living in their own place (renting or owning) increased from 7% at entry to 43% at exit, and to 51% a year later.
The number of young people sleeping rough or living in crisis accommodation, treatment centres or detention declined from 32% at entry to 3% at exit, and to 2% a year later.
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Albany Youth Support Association: Albany Youth Support Association (AYSA) is the leading youth homelessness service and outreach group servicing Albany and the Great Southern. AYSA delivers a range of youth programs, including Young House, SHOT, Albany Youth Outreach and Reconnect. AYSA has extensive expertise and experience in delivering youth homelessness housing services and supports in the region.
Advance Housing: Advance Housing Ltd (AHL) is the biggest not for profit community housing provider in the Great Southern. AHL manage over 370 community housing dwellings across the region and has built over 80 affordable homes in the last 12 years.
Education Providers: AYSA has been building relationships with local education providers to support young people to access education and employment opportunities. Whilst still in initial stages, this includes partnerships with South Regional TAFE and Great Southern Universities Centre.
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The GSYF will be a purpose-built facility with self-contained units with their own bathroom and kitchenette. This allows young people to go about their daily activities with independence, building valuable life skills and improving self-esteem. The design of the Youth Foyer will also incorporate communal areas for young people to study, learn important life skills and connect with their peers.
The Youth Foyer approach acknowledges the strong connection between the physical environment and our overall health and wellbeing, and places particular emphasis on providing a built environment that is high quality and aspirational for the young people we work with. It is estimated that the cost of construction for the Great Southern Youth Foyer will be approximately $12-15 million. The final development plans and funding will be finalised once the land is secured. The annual operational costs of the Great Southern Youth Foyer are estimated at between $1.4 -1.8 million.
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A project plan and timeline will be developed by AYSA and the consortia once funding is secured. Once the land transfer is finalised, it is estimated that construction will take roughly 24 months. Construction timelines are subject to a range of factors and may change. It is the intention of the GSYF consortia that the facility build will begin 2026/2027.
Albany Youth Support Association, with partners Advance Housing, are working towards the construction of the Great Southern Youth Foyer.
Youth Foyers are an innovative approach to youth homelessness that combine housing, support and access to education and training opportunities to enable young people to transition to independent adulthood.
Great Southern Youth Foyer (GSYF) will provide an accommodation facility, comprising of 10 crisis bedrooms and 50 transition units for young people, aged 15-25 years who are at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. Though the site will be based in Albany the program will welcome young people from across the Great Southern region. During a stay of up to two-years, young people will have access to coaching, personalised support, social connections and opportunities that enable them to pursue their education and employment goals and break the cycle of homelessness.
