New purpose-built student housing in Broadmeadows will go to young people who are homeless or in unstable accommodation.
As many as 40 students aged 16 to 24 will be housed at the Kangan Education First Youth Foyer in exchange for their commitment to keep studying or training.
The ‘foyer’ is the second in Victoria, with the state government investing $10.4 million in the next four years in its continuing development.
Housing Minister Wendy Lovell used an extended visit to the north last week to see the project for herself.
“These students will have the skills, networks and opportunities to change their lives,” Ms Lovell said.
Based at Kangan Institute’s Broadmeadows campus, the project is a collaboration of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Hanover Welfare Services and the Victorian government.
Brotherhood executive director Tony Nicholson said the project was a first for Victoria and offered a new approach to helping young homeless people and those at risk of becoming so.
“Education First Youth Foyers are premised on the idea that the best thing we can do for these young people is to get them educated so that they will be able to build a good life for themselves by having a job,” Mr Nicholson said.
Hanover chief executive Tony Keenan said the project was a major reform that positioned learning and skills as the key pathways out of homelessness and disadvantage.
“Already, it is changing lives,” Mr Keenan said.
“We know the foyers will help many young people who are without family support and are disengaged from education to develop skills, become employed and build productive and good lives for themselves.”
The first Education First Youth Foyer opened at Holmesglen Institute of TAFE in Glen Waverley in August last year, with students already graduating from their Certificate in Developing Independence course.
The third youth foyer will be constructed near the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE in Shepparton and is scheduled to open next year.
