A national solution that is evidence-based, scalable and breaks the cycle of youth homelessness.
The FoyerInvest Consortium is asking the Federal Government to fund the construction of 10 forty-unit Youth Foyers to enable young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to transition to independent, thriving futures.
Our funding request includes:
1. Investment of $184 million capital to construct 10 forty-unit Youth Foyers over the next three years.
2. Support FoyerInvest to partner with States in securing recurrent operational funding.
3. Participation in a cross-sectoral initiative to deliver payment-by-outcomes at scale.
Economic Benefits
Scaling to 50 Foyers by 2030 would unlock thriving futures for 20,000 young people over the next decade, generating $2.9 billion in government savings in the same period.
Independent analysis by Accenture Economic Insights found that every dollar invested by governments in a Youth Foyer generates an additional $6 in benefits.
According to the Under One Roof report, Youth Foyer programs produce $172,000 in savings to governments per person. This saving can be attributed to reductions in housing, health, welfare, and justice costs throughout a young person’s life.
On average, 52 per cent of the benefits of Youth Foyers go to the State and 48 per cent to the Federal Government. On a per-person basis, Youth Foyers create an average of $84,000 in benefits for the Federal Government, via taxation uplifts, welfare and federal health savings. Youth Foyers also create $89,000 in benefits for State Governments through avoided social housing, health and justice costs.
In summary, there is a strong moral and economic case for investment in Youth Foyers.
2024-25 Federal Budget recommendations:
Priority one — Investment of $184 million capital to construct 10, forty-unit Youth Foyers over the next three years.
The Federal Government has the opportunity to rapidly scale Youth Foyers and break the cycle of homelessness and disadvantage for 16 to 24-year-olds.
Priority two – Support FoyerInvest to partner with States in securing recurrent operational funding.
Youth Foyers deliver exceptional outcomes because they offer young people more than a roof over their heads: housing is integrated with education, employment and life skills supports that enable individuals to build the capabilities and confidence they need to transition to independent, thriving futures.
Priority three – Participation in a cross-sectoral initiative to deliver payment-by-outcomes at scale.
Youth Foyers present an opportunity for the Federal Government, philanthropy and private investors to work together to deliver payment-by-outcomes commissioning at scale.
The Foyer Foundation and FoyerInvest Consortium members look forward to working with the Federal Government.
Read our full Budget Submission here.