Melbourne Citymission's Foyer Plus Programs provide the best response to youth homelessness through three housing models: precinct, high density, and neighborhood. The programs offer young people ages 16-25 at risk of homelessness fully furnished housing and intensive casework support for 2-3 years to help transition to independence. Research found about half of participants were protected against homelessness after completing the program. The combination of housing and support helps young people pursue education, employment, and training goals.
2. Precinct model
6 apartments, located in Fitzroy North)
High Density model
Lion Garden (8 apartments, located in CBD)
Ladder (12 apartments, located in Collingwood)
Neighbourhood model
6 dispersed transitional properties located in Inner
North and Inner South
3.
4. Step Ahead program was the first Foyer like
model of its kind in Victoria
Step Ahead began in 2004 under the name Youth
Transition Model- included Lion Garden and
Neighbourhood model in 2007 the program
received recurrent funding from the Department
of Human Services and was renamed the Step
Ahead program
Ladder began in 2007- partnership with AFL
Players Association
Youth Precinct opened in 2010/2011
5. Aged 16-25
Male and Female
At risk of homelessness or dislocated from
mainstream supports
Engaged in some kind of
Education, Employment or Training; or
motivated to reengage with these
6. Fully furnished, self
contained supported
housing for 2-3 years
Intensive holistic
casework support
Early intervention
Links to Education,
Employment and/or
Training
7. Living Skills Program
Community connections
Mentoring program (Ladder)
After hours On Call service
Up to 6 months After care
Young people, Minister for Indigenous Employment and
Economic Development, and Minister for Sport and Minister for
Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib and mentors
8. Support a transition from dependence to
independence
Offer long term stability and security- provides
platform to explore EET options
Provide opportunity for participation in project
development
Providing empowerment and encouraging
responsibility
Improve employability
Improve quality of life and connections to
natural networks
9. Vacancy will be listed on the Opening Doors resource
register as ‘transitional support’
Referrals accepted through any ‘open door’ in Victoria
(except for Precinct- only North West region). Access
points fax through IAP form to the Foyer Plus team
The Foyer Plus team reviews suitability of referrals.
The Foyer Plus team interviews suitable applicants
Applicants who are selected are notified by phone and
sign up time is arranged. We will also notify the
relevant ‘open door’ and support worker if appropriate
10. Into Through Out of
Homelessness Homelessness Homelessness
Return home
Family
education reconciliation
Change
in family
structure
Drug &
alcohol
Mental health
Child protection
Justice
11. Shift from individualised outcome to ‘whole of person’ packaged
support
Shift from fragmented & silo approached service delivery to a
connected framework that mirrored lives of the people we work
with
Several funding streams
‘Partner with’ rather than a mutual agreement
Outcomes focus rather than throughput
Strategic planning to commit to ‘providing the best response to
homelessness’
Service Integration & cross sector relationships key
Facilities and Location/s
How do we think differently about the business of the business
12. Youth rights based approach - can narrow options
Focused on facilitating access to accommodation –
rarely involve consideration of other elements eg
health, D & A, EET
Parameters, boundaries and funding requirements
Shift in policy and practice – let’s move to true
mainstream
If we are unable to deliver then who can
The lived experience of homelessness for young
people– needs to be validated, acknowledged and
legitimised, time & space
13. The Package:
▪ Long term stable accommodation
▪ Intensive case management support
▪ EET packaged support
▪ Living skills/Mentoring
The Model:
Precinct model – multiple service providers and partners, funding streams, visiting services – on one
site
Density model – close proximity to services, less services onsite but stand alone
Neighbourhood model – immersed in community, reflects natural networks to
community, friends, family, local support, capacity to seek out support when required
14. Recent research led by Associate Professor Dr Marty Grace at Victoria
University on the Step Ahead Model found:
About half the participants were
well protected against homelessness.
Ten participants were
protected against homelessness.
Four participants were
vulnerable to homelessness.
15. The combination of accommodation and
support made it possible for young people to
pursue their EET goals
Program expectations helped improve
motivation
80% had completed Year 12, 37% completed
post school qualifications
16. Transportability of model
Design
Who is the client/cohort?
Linked evidence to outcomes
Cost effective analysis
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30. Mandy Baxter: mbaxter@mcm.org.au
03 9680 8257
Lisa O’Brien lobrien@mcm.org.au
03 9680 8217
Step Ahead Research Link
http://www.melbournecitymission.org.au/Latest-News
/Research-launched-to-help-prevent-youth-homelessness
Notas del editor
This may include calls to IAP workers or support workers to obtain further information
Lived experience – unique – requires different responses at “point in time”