New report: Scaling Youth Foyers for NSW

Shelter NSW is pleased to announce the release of our newly commissioned report, Scaling Foyers for NSW

Improving the outcomes experienced by vulnerable young people is a critical challenge for communities and governments. It is estimated that 40-50% of young people exiting homelessness services move into a situation of further homelessness. As they transition into adulthood, these young people are faced with a separation between housing services and education and employment services.  The Foyer model seek to redress these issues by providing accommodation with education and employment support to vulnerable young people between 16 and 24 years of age, who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

There is renewed nation-wide interest and delivery of the Youth Foyer model (Perth and Sydney are just two examples) as a strategic response for some young people at risk of homelessness.

The value of the model lies in its integration of housing with strategies for the effective transition from vulnerability to further education and employment. With this report, we hope to share more widely the social and economic benefits of the Foyer model, in the hope that it may gain more traction with the NSW Government, local councils and the private sector.

Of course, the Foyer model is only one type of youth housing that is suitable to a very specific cohort. Foyers are also not a solution to bigger issues and conversations surrounding Out of Home Care (OOHC), such as the cut off age for support.