State Member for Perth, Ms Eleni Evangel MLA, last week attended the opening of an innovative housing project designed to transform the lives of young West Australians experiencing homelessness and other disadvantage.

Foyer Oxford in Leederville – built on the site of the Central Institute of Technology – will provide transitional accommodation for homeless young people between 16 and 25 in need of specialist assistance and support. The Foyer was opened by the Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett.

“Perth is a rapidly growing city and tragically we are seeing an increase in the number of homeless people on our streets,” said Ms Evangel.

“At particular risk of homelessness are young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who sadly lack the financial, emotional and family support so critical to a young person’s overall development and success. For a maximum period of 2 years, the Foyer on Oxford model of accommodation provides low rent accommodation to young people between the ages of 16 – 25 who are at risk of becoming homeless.

“It has proven successful in other parts of the world because of the use of a holistic approach to supporting young people. This includes: a safe affordable home, education and training opportunities, emotional and social support by fully trained professionals and a happy and healthy environment,” stated Ms Evangel, who went on to commend this initiative.

The Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett said the project, built with both state and Commonwealth funding, would house up to 98 young men and women and provide them with life skills, training and educational opportunity.

Mr Barnett commended the partners and supporters of the project for their commitment to the development, including Foundation Housing, Anglicare, BHP Billiton, the Central Institute of Technology, Lotterywest and the departments of Housing and Child Protection and Family Support.
“This is a great example of a productive partnership between corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations to fund, build and operate a truly innovative project,” he said.

The building was completed in late January and 23 residents have already moved in.
The Foyer building is expected to be fully occupied over the next few months. Young people selected for the Foyer will not be ‘straight off the streets’. Residents are selected by a panel of youth care professionals and they will be people who have started to turn their life around.
Those who demonstrate an ability to succeed in independent housing and make a positive contribution to the facility will become residents.