By TOM HAYES

 

THE Latrobe-Gippsland region has been identified as the toughest place for young people to find stable housing, land a job, and finish school, according to an analysis into the youth homelessness crisis by The Foyer Foundation.

The analysis found that almost 17,000 young people are without a home or struggling to find a place to live throughout 20 hotspot regions across Australia.

Quantum Support Services Chief Executive, Natalie McDonald, told the Express that the main causes were “a lack of available affordable housing, low socio economic conditions, and high family violence rates”.

The Latrobe-Gippsland region ranked number one; more than 1200 young people (4.2 per cent) who experienced, or were at risk of homelessness.

The region also had a young unemployment rate of almost 14 per cent, equating to over 1000 young people, while rates of high school completion are well below average.

“Preventing youth homelessness requires more affordable and social housing, combined with adequate income support. With the right housing solutions and wrap-around support, significant improvements could be achieved,” Ms McDonald said.

“Our experiences show that there are no rental properties available in Gippsland that young people on Youth Allowance and Rental Assistance could afford. In the past five years, Gippsland’s median rent rose almost 44 per cent, the highest of any area across Victoria.”

This has since prompted The Foyer Foundation and partners to call on the federal government to establish 10 new Youth Foyers across the country, eight of which should be in the top 20 hotspots.

Joining forces with Quantum Support Services, The Foyer Foundation is proposing a 40-unit Youth Foyer in Gippsland to provide safe, stable housing, support for education and employment, and a foundation for young people to build thriving futures.

“Youth Foyers are a proven solution, combining housing with education and employment opportunities to break the cycle of disadvantage,” The Foyer Foundation Co-Chief Executive, Corin Moffatt said.

“Our existing Foyers, including in some of the areas of highest need, are already having a positive impact on the lives of young people experiencing homelessness – and more Foyers are on the way.

“But too many people are still missing out on the support that can put them on a pathway to success. Almost 10,000 young people missed out on the medium-term housing support they needed last year due to a lack of options, and more than 30 communities are seeking investment for new Youth Foyers in response to urgent demand.

“Ultimately, there are enough young people to fill one or more Foyers in every region across Australia.”

Youth Foyers are already helping young people transition to independent futures in four of the 20 identified hotspots, those being Ballarat (VIC), Illawarra (NSW), Townsville (QLD), and West and North West (TAS). Another Foyer is under development in Cairns (QLD).

There are seven operating Youth Foyers in Victoria, and one in development. Those Youth Foyers are Education First Youth Foyer (Holmesglen, Shepparton, Broadmeadows), Lilydale Youth Foyer, Karrung Youth Foyer, Warrnambool, and Glen Waverley.

“Of the seven operating youth foyers in Victoria, none are in Gippsland. If funding was secured, a foyer in Latrobe could be built and operational within two years, providing much-needed support to at-risk youth,” Ms McDonald said.

“It has never been more difficult for a young person in Australia to find safe, stable, and affordable housing,” Ms Moffatt added.

“Most young people experiencing homelessness are not in education and training, have faced homelessness before, and are missing out on medium-term accommodation when they need it.

“We and the local community partners know that this model work to break the cycle of disadvantage, alongside a strong system of crisis and temporary accommodation support.

“What we need now is government funding to build these homes and provide the support that unlocks futures that young people deserve.”