Young people on Tasmania’s North-West Coast now have greater access to supported accommodation with the opening of a new 26-unit facility in Burnie.
The Youth2Independence (Y2I) facility, designed for young people aged 16-24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, offers a foundation for education and personal development.
Housing and Planning Minister Felix Ellis said the $14.2 million project is a significant step in addressing youth homelessness.
“We’re leading the way in progressing education-first solutions to address youth homelessness, and the Y2I program supports young people to become independent adults by succeeding in education and training,” Ellis said.
Residents commit to ‘The Deal’, which includes developing skills needed to obtain a Certificate I in Developing Independence with TasTAFE.
Youth Family and Community Connections (YFCC), who will manage the facility, said such establishments are vital for young people transitioning to adulthood.
“This is a great place for them to be able to come, to connect with community, to connect with education, and other services that can support them when they’re going to get back to private rental market or out into the community,” YFCC CEO Ros Atkinson said.
Built by local contractor Stubbs Construction, the project has generated an economic benefit of over $40 million for the North-West Coast.
