Hervey Bay Youth Foyer a step closer to reality

• Major milestone reached in delivering supported housing for vulnerable young Queenslanders with construction contract awarded for Hervey Bay Youth Foyer.
• The 40 apartments and 24/7 support will provide stable housing for 16 to 25-year-olds experiencing or at risk of homelessness, committed to study, training or work.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering eight new Youth Foyers across Queensland, after Labor added just two in a decade.

The Crisafulli Government is a step closer to delivering a Youth Foyer in Hervey Bay with the construction contract for the new Hervey Bay Youth Foyer awarded to Bryant Building Contractors following a competitive procurement process. 

Labor spent a decade adding just two Youth Foyers, leaving too many vulnerable young Queenslanders without the stable housing and support they needed.  

In contrast, the Crisafulli Government will have eight new Youth Foyers completed or underway within this term of government alone. 

The Hervey Bay Youth Foyer will provide 40 self-contained units for vulnerable young Queenslanders aged 16-25 facing housing insecurity with stable housing in a supported living environment while they are learning and earning. 

Tenants will be required to pay about 25 per cent of their income in rent and will receive 24/7 on-site support while they complete education, training or work. 

Construction is forecast to commence in 2027. 

Eight Youth Foyers are being rolled out across Queensland by the Crisafulli Government to ensure more young people benefit from this successful model, which helps them build independence and learn vital skills for life. 

These new Youth Foyers will be delivered in Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and Cairns – on top of existing foyers in Townsville, Logan and on the Gold Coast. 

Housing with support built-in forms a key part of the Crisafulli Government's commitment to deliver 53,500 social and community homes by 2044, after the former Labor Government's failures during their decade of decline created Labor's Housing Crisis.  

Minister for Housing Sam O’Connor said this was a big step towards delivering the housing support young Queenslanders across the Wide Bay region deserved. 

“Young Queenslanders can’t get ahead if they don’t have the foundations of a safe place to call home, Minister O’Connor said.  

“Over the last decade, Labor only added two Youth Foyers leaving too many vulnerable young Queenslanders without access to this life-changing model of housing.  

“That’s why we’re getting on with the job of delivering a new Youth Foyer in Hervey Bay, giving at-risk young Queenslanders the stability, support and opportunities they need to finish their education and or training, or get into work and build independent lives. 

“This will be life-changing for young Queenslanders and we can’t wait to welcome our first residents in 2028.” 

Member for Hervey Bay David Lee said the new Youth Foyer would provide a vital pathway to independence for young people across the region.  

“The 40 new supported homes delivered through the Hervey Bay Youth Foyer will give our region’s vulnerable young people the security, practical support and opportunities they need to build a brighter future,” Mr Lee said.