Agencies Unite for Homeless Trial
24 January 2005 at 12:01 pm
The Victorian Government has provided a half million dollar grant for a revolutionary, three-year trial assisting disadvantaged young people to address their employment, housing and health needs.
The trial known as the YP4 project is a partnership between one of Victoria’s largest youth homelessness service providers, Melbourne Citymission and Hanover Welfare Services, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Loddon Mallee Housing Services.
According to the last census, Victoria is one of the few states to actually experience an increase in homelessness with approximately 20,000 homeless
in the State, of which 10,729 are young people aged between 12 and 35 years of age.
Sharon Fisher, the Manager of Employment, Education and Training at Melbourne Citymission says that as one of the state’s largest youth homelessness services in Victoria we applaud the State government’s move to get behind what is a unique project of high community priority.
Fisher says that to see so many high profile agencies working together and the customary bureaucratic boundaries transcended is an unprecedented step.
She says YP4 recognises that existing housing and employment assistance is often fragmented, too focused on contracts and ineffective for housing job-seekers.
The new model provides integrated service delivery, supporting the young person in a holistic way providing personal support like counselling and education, employment and training services.
Fisher says the agencies want sustainable solutions for young people, so we don’t see them fall back in the homelessness system because they can’t sustain employment.
She says the project will hopefully mean that young people who traditionally have had little opportunity and little hope for the future, now have a chance to share the Australian dream of a job, home and family.
