The Townsville community can have their say on designs for Townsville’s new Youth Foyer in Gulliver.
Communities and Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch said the designs have been created by Townsville-based Counterpoint Architecture.
“Once completed the Townsville Youth Foyer on Fulham Rd will provide housing for up to 40 young people, aged 16 to 25, who need safe, stable and affordable housing,” the Minister said.
“Tenants must be undertaking study, training or work.
“This isn’t an option for anyone who isn’t earning or learning, and anti-social behaviour is not tolerated.
“Youth Foyers are recognised around the world as an important tool to help young people to access education, training and employment through stable and safe housing with support.
“This will allow young people who have experienced housing insecurity to pursue their goals and ambitions while building the life skills to live independent and positive lives.
“It’s important for the community to have their say. That’s why I encourage people to look at the information, find out the facts and provide feedback.”
Ms Enoch said the designs would be available for public review and comments from 18 March to 7 April 2022.
“We’ll be learning from other places where the successful initiative has already been in place like Logan and the Gold Coast,” the Minister said.
Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said the Youth Foyer was about helping keep young people on track and in a stable environment.
“They will receive 24/7 onsite mentoring, coaching and support from Mission Australia so they can access further training or employment pathways,” he said.
“This is also about providing the opportunity to learn life skill.
“Providing more support for young people helps them grow and get into the workforce to provide stability.
“Young people will need to pay rent and have a tenancy agreement in place.”
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Youth Foyer joins Cowboys House in a Gulliver community that is fostering the bright futures of young people.
“It’s so important we have secure environments for our young people who are earning and learning,” Mr Stewart said.
“This Youth Foyer will be for young people who have shown a strong commitment to being upstanding members of the Townsville community.
“Housing at the Youth Foyer will only be available to individuals who are studying, training, or working.
“The tenants of the Townsville Youth Foyer will live independently in single-occupancy units, pay rent, shop and cook for themselves and learn the rights and responsibilities of living in rental accommodation.”
Mission Australia North Queensland Regional Leader, Phil Flint, said the Youth Foyer model is considered international best practice to help young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to transition to independent living.
“Mission Australia has a long history of providing support and positive outcomes for young people throughout Queensland,” Dr Flint said.
“At the Townsville Youth Foyer, our experienced staff will provide on-site support for the tenants, who will be aged 16-25 years old, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
“Many of these young people come from backgrounds where their home life may not have been safe, so to have a facility like this, gives them the opportunity to have a stable home where they can commit to studying or a job, and to have positive mentors in their life.
“We’ll not only be there to help the tenants achieve their education and employment goals, we’ll be helping them to learn practical life skills such as budgeting, caring for a rental property and time management – all valuable skills for when they transition to independent living.”
Ms Enoch said there had already been many success stories from the Youth Foyer operating in Logan and young people have recently moved into a new Gold Coast Foyer.
“These young people are committed to a brighter future and are in the right place to make that happen,” she said.
“Youth Foyers help those who may be unable to live at home or are at risk of homelessness for a range of reasons, including isolation, family violence or a need to establish good rental history.”
Ms Enoch said the project is scheduled to commence in late 2022, with construction of the two-storey building to be completed by late-2023.
Construction of new youth foyers on the Gold Coast and in Townsville are key commitments under the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 and assisting vulnerable young people to achieve social and economic independence through an integrated framework of housing with support is a key action of the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025.
