The Foyer Foundation welcomes the ACT Government’s focus on housing in this year’s Budget, in particular a commitment of $10 million to run a new Youth Foyer in Woden.
The Education First Youth Foyer will provide 20 units at the new CIT Woden Campus to support young people aged between 16 and 24 engaged in education who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“This Foyer is located on the Canberra Institute of TAFE Campus, in close proximity to Canberra College, to connect residents with education opportunities,” Foyer Foundation CEO Liz Cameron-Smith said.
“It also includes options that are specifically designed to support young mums and babies, which we are seeing growing demand for across the community.”
A service provider will be appointed to run the Youth Foyer and deliver a range of culturally appropriate youth supports to help young people live thriving, independent lives.
This is the first purpose-built Youth Foyer in the ACT, with a commitment to increasing the number of young people successfully completing educational qualifications and gaining meaningful employment, which is important to ensure a thriving life.
“We also welcome the ACT Government’s announcement of $6.5 million to expand homelessness support and extend the Rent Relief Fund to support more Canberrans on low incomes who are experiencing rental stress or severe financial hardship,” Cameron-Smith said. “Alongside an investment of $177,068 million in public housing over the next four years, this Budget will make a meaningful contribution to the lives of the most vulnerable in the community.”
