The foyer will combine affordable medium-term accommodation with education and training, empowering young people at risk of homelessness to complete their studies and successfully transition from school into work.
GOTAFE chief executive officer Travis Heeney said the organisation was excited to receive funding for the Wangaratta Education First Youth Foyer project.
“GOTAFE is committed to improving the lives of young people in Wangaratta,” Mr Heeney said.
“The Education First Youth Foyer will help break the cycle of homelessness and increase the number of young people completing education qualifications and gaining productive employment.”
The Wangaratta Education First Youth Foyer has been funded as part of the Victorian Government's $50 million Youth Housing Capital Grants program announced recently.
The foyer will be located opposite to the GOTAFE Wangaratta campus.
This will provide participants with easy access to education, public transport, employment and local services.
The foyer will be managed under a formal joint working arrangement between GOTAFE, North East Support and Action for Youth Inc., Uniting Housing (Victoria) Limited and the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Brotherhood of St Laurence youth programs manager Mark Cox said the foyer had been proven to inspire and equip young people with all they need to take their next steps in life — achieving an education, a job and decent housing.
“To have this model expand to Wangaratta is exciting news,” Mr Cox said.
Uniting Housing Victoria and Tasmania chief executive officer Bronwyn Pike said the foyer would make a difference to the lives of so many young people across the Wangaratta region.
“(It will) Provide young people at risk of homelessness with safe and stable long-term accommodation,” Ms Pike said.
“It will give them the confidence they need to be able to get on with their education and studies and make a successful transition into work.”
NESAY chief executive officer Leah Waring said the foyer provided young people in the communities the safety, resources and opportunities they needed to thrive.
“We are very excited to be a part of this housing and support model and the opportunity for change it brings,” Ms Waring said.
The project will bring 40 jobs to Wangaratta and is expected to deliver $40.6 million net benefits to the community during a 20-year timeframe.
The Education First Youth Foyer model is based on the principle that education is key to providing a pathway out of disadvantage for young people, and stable housing is a means of ensuring young people can fully commit to their education.
While living at the youth foyer, young people will be supported to undertake education, training and employment to expand their capabilities.
This project is funded as part of the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build — Victoria’s largest ever investment in social and affordable housing.
For more information about the foyer project, visit: gotafe.vic.edu.au
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