Melbourne nights are beautiful in winter. Warm pub fires, cool strolls by the river, soft light reflected on wet pavement. But for Victorians experiencing homelessness, the city can become freezing, inhospitable and dangerous.
These two EFY Foyers offer purpose-built student housing for people aged 16 to 24 who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, and, as the name suggests, they prioritise education and employment. The foyer model is based on a philosophy that considers young people based on their potential, strengths and future aspirations. It incorporates six “service offers”: education, employment, health and wellbeing, social connections, civic participation, and housing and living skills.
The life-changing nature of Education First Youth Foyers cannot be overstated, Costolloe says. “They offer an effective, evidence-based solution to youth homelessness, enabling young people to overcome intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and unlock their full potential.”can be transformative. In 2022-23, 84% of graduates from the program were studying and/or employed when they completed the program – almost on par with the national average.