- The Crisafulli Government is delivering the Sunshine Coast Youth Foyer in Maroochydore to provide 50 homes with support built-in for young people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
- Largest youth foyer ever delivered in Queensland is based on the proven model giving stable housing and 24/7 help for young Queenslanders to build independence and learn essential skills for life.
- Part of the Crisafulli Government's plan to deliver eight new youth foyers across the state after only two were build over the last decade.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment to increase housing support for vulnerable young Queenslanders, with the Sunshine Coast set to be home to the largest youth foyer ever delivered in Queensland as part of eight new foyers being rolled out across the State.
A Maroochydore site has been identified for the project which will provide 50 self-contained units with wraparound support for young people facing housing insecurity on the Sunshine Coast.
Youth foyers offer vulnerable young people aged 16-25 with stable housing in a supported environment while they are learning and earning.
Tenants are required to pay around 25 per cent of their income in rent and receive 24/7 on-site support while they enter education, training or work.
Construction on the Maroochydore complex is expected to begin early next year and be completed in late 2028.
The new youth foyer is part of eight foyers the Crisafulli Government is delivering to help more vulnerable young Queenslanders benefit from this successful evidence-based model.
Construction is progressing on the Cairns Youth Foyer, while design works are well underway for the Moreton Bay Youth Foyer in Redcliffe.
Planning and design work is also underway for a youth foyer in Hervey Bay, Brisbane and Ipswich, with the final locations to be finalised.
Youth foyers form a key part of the Crisafulli Government's plan to deliver 53,500 social and community homes by 2044, including expanded pathways for vulnerable cohorts.
Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O'Connor said youth foyers ensured more young Queenslanders have the support they need to succeed.
"This will be the largest youth foyer ever delivered in Queensland, and after a decade of being ignored by Labor, it's time young people have access to the housing support they deserve," Minister O'Connor said.
"These are so much more than just a roof over someone's head, foyers give young people who are earning or learning the stable foundation they need to build whatever life they aspire to live.
"Over the last decade youth homelessness kept getting worse yet only two new youth foyers were opened.
"Housing with wraparound supports is vital to ensure these vulnerable young Queenslanders don't fall through the cracks and instead have a pathway to a more secure, independent future."
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson welcomed the announcement as a major step forward in fixing the social housing mess from Labor's decade of decline.
"This is a fitting milestone for the Sunshine Coast as we celebrate Youth Week," Ms Simpson said.
"These youth foyers are not only a place to call home for vulnerable young Queenslanders, but they are a safe haven with wraparound support.
"This will be a valued community asset with on-site management to help young people thrive."
Medical receptionist Bailey, 22, said she received vital support and made life-long friends during two years' living at the Gold Coast Youth Foyer, after experiencing homelessness.
Bailey combines full-time work with study, lives independently and recently spent six weeks volunteering in Nepal as part of her goal to forge a career in humanitarian aid.
"I'm really passionate about advocating for more youth foyers and showing young people who come from difficult backgrounds that their future can still be full of opportunity,'' she said.
"The foyer for me was a safe, stable place to breathe and recollect my thoughts and make plans after such an unstable childhood.
"It enabled me to go from having a quite low opinion of myself to building up confidence and believing in myself and what I could do.''
