CONSTRUCTION has started on a world-first model of intensive support and crisis accommodation for young people sleeping rough in Melbourne.
Victorian Minister for Housing, Martin Foley, was at Melbourne City Mission’s Frontyard Youth Services at 19 King St to mark the start of the $8 million construction project, made possible by an innovative partnership between Melbourne City Mission and the Victorian government, philanthropists including The Peter and Lyndy White Foundation, and the Property Industry Foundation (PIF).
The project will transform Frontyard – Victoria’s largest early intervention and crisis service for young people who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness – into a 24/7 service with new and expanded supports, including two floors of crisis accommodation for young people who are currently rough sleeping in the city and onsite mental health, drug and alcohol and disability expertise.
As part of the new world-first model, Frontyard will pioneer digital engagement strategies to more effectively connect young people into support. The Frontyard team will also actively hit the streets to find young people sleeping rough and connect them to services.
When construction is completed in early 2019, the new Frontyard will provide a breadth, depth and intensity of support unlike anything else found in the youth homelessness system.
The new model of support has been designed to respond to the multiple and complex needs of young people with significant trauma, who experience challenges connecting into support services. Many of the young people who will access the new services will have been through the child protection system and have had engagement with youth justice. They are likely to experience addiction, cognitive impairment and other disabilities in addition to youth homelessness. Without effective intervention, they are at risk of remaining in crisis long-term, including adult homelessness.
“Our investment in Frontyard will keep young people safe and offer them wrap-around support services when and where they need it,” Foley said. “At Frontyard young people who are homeless or in crisis will have access to all the support they need, including accommodation, under one roof.”
Melbourne City Mission CEO Vicki Sutton said for 29 years Melbourne City Mission and Frontyard have been there for young people when they have had nowhere else to turn.
“The new Frontyard is designed to disrupt the cycle of homelessness for Victoria’s most vulnerable and hard to reach young people.
“The Frontyard model of connected support and accommodation is a world-first in terms of providing a comprehensive response to what we know young people need.” Sutton said. “Melbourne City Mission values the strong partnership with the Victorian Government, the Property Industry Foundation and the many donors and philanthropists who have joined with us behind this model that will help Victoria reduce youth homelessness.”
PIF Victoria chairman Peter Inge said it is PIF’s plan to nationally create 125 bedrooms over the next four years.
“We’re proud to partner with Melbourne City Mission on the new Frontyard project that will provide a world-first 24/7 program with short term accommodation for the most severely marginalised and disadvantaged youth.
“A number of consultants in our industry such as Ashurst, Case Meallin, Urbis, Slattery, Fender Katsalidis, NDY, Wood & Grieve Engineers, Hendry Group, Equitable Access Solutions, Irwinconsult, and Built have already pledged their support with a plan to provide pro-bono services for the construction project.” Inge said.
He added that building partner, Built, will source and provide discounted and donated goods and materials for this project.
Built managing director Brett Mason said the company is proud to be a part of the Frontyard project which brings together industry, not for profit and government to help young Australians who are experiencing hardship.
Australian Property Journal
