New homes for young people in extended Logan Youth Foyer

Published Thursday, 08 August, 2019 at 11:30 AM

Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Digital Technology and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Mick de Brenni

Young people at risk of homelessness will soon move into their new homes after a $6.2 million extension to the Logan Youth Foyer.

The 16 new one-bedroom units and two refurbished studio apartments increases capacity from 22 to 40 home units.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the Foyer is an essential stepping stone to helping young people earn and learn.

“Queenslanders want to see our young adults be able to hold down a steady job and continue in education and training,” he said.

“But that’s impossible when you live from day to day not knowing where you’re going to sleep or where your next meal is coming from.

“Young people especially need a safe and nurturing environment where they can find their feet and begin to realise their dreams.

Speaking on site at the handover of the Logan Youth Foyer expansion, Mr de Brenni said he wants to take the youth foyer model to other Queensland communities where vulnerable young people need support.

“Proposed sites on the Gold Coast and Townsville would address the significant numbers of young people disengaged from education and training, for reasons including their inability to find safe and secure lodgings,” he said.

“This is something we are working to remedy in partnership with service providers and through targeted housing responses.”

Young people selected to participate in the Logan Youth Foyer extension must show a genuine commitment to education, training or employment.

Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ) provides 24/7 on-site support to the young tenants, with property and tenancy management services provided in partnership by the Horizon Housing Company.

WMQ Chief Executive Officer Geoff Batkin said youth foyers were a successful, internationally-recognised support model for young people, designed to help them become confident, strong and self-supporting adults.

“We want our young people to enjoy autonomy, privacy and respect, with the ability to seek out help from our professional youth support workers when they need it,” Mr Batkin said.

“Our on-site services, access to education and career planning advice and equipment, creates a supported environment conducive to further education and training.”

Mr de Brenni said design and construction of the foyer were also significant factors in creating a welcoming environment for young people.

“Bark Design Architects have worked their magic here to create inspiring living and communal areas that harness natural light and breezes and offer great connection between internal and external spaces,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The new ground floor units include accessible design, containing features such as level thresholds, hob-free showers and wider doors and hallways for wheelchair access.

“I'm proud to note that the Logan Youth Foyer extension was one of the first government-funded projects to incorporate Project Bank Accounts, helping to ensure subbies working on site got paid on time every time.

“The extension has been built by Hutchinson Builders and supported about 300 construction jobs over the course of the project, including nine apprentices.”

Development of a youth foyer network in Queensland is a key aim of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017–2027.

 

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Brew – 0468 839 551