Youth ambassadors are bidding for government funding for 'youth foyers', a hybrid of social housing and homelessness services that help young people focus on education rather than where they're going to live.After growing up in foster care and facing homelessness at 19, finding stable accommodation changed Alex Lipman's life.It gives us independence and that sustainable housing.
"So it was already quite a challenging year. Two months into couch surfing I found myself at the doors of the Foyer Foundation and that was the wrap-around support service that really helped me to finish my year 12 VCE studies, move into University and take control of my life."After accessing services, nearly half remain in insecure living situations.
Because of this, 80 per cent of Foyer residents then go into stable housing and more than two-thirds find work. "Because we know for every dollar invested in a youth foyer it delivers a 6 dollar return. So it's actually a cost-effective solution, which should be one part of the government's response to youth homelessness in Australia.""Youth foyers are an important housing model because they provide young people with support around their education as well as support around other issues and provide a safe living environment for them.