Disadvantaged youth are set to benefit from a $25 million investment in accommodation for the homeless, with potential for a new place to call home.
According to Minister for Housing, Martin Foley, $3.5 million will be put towards the development of a new three-story youth refuge located in Melbourne’s inner city.
“Young people find themselves homeless and in need of help for a variety of reasons – this refuge will provide the first step to finding an alternative to life on the streets,” said Mr Foley.
If all goes ahead, the refuge will be ideally located on King Street and will help in removing young people from the immediate dangers of homelessness with an outreach service encompassing both accommodation and integrated specialist services.
“It is important young people get help as soon as they need it, with research telling us that if young people experience homelessness they are more likely to be homeless in the long term,” he explained.
But the support won’t end there. Mr Foley said he recognises young people will need continued help and support as they exit the facilities and transition into more stable and long term accommodation to ensure they don’t come to face the same issues in future.
“I’m determined to work with partners like Melbourne City Mission to make a real difference to people’s lives – those partnerships are key to meeting the challenges we face in addressing homelessness,” said the minister.
Melbourne City Mission has been working with Victoria’s disadvantaged and vulnerable communities since 1854, and is the largest provider of homelessness services to young Victorian’s aged 25 and under.