Foyer Foundation push for more funding in federal budget

Young people living in specialist accommodation less than 2km from the federal treasurer’s electorate office have penned these heartbreaking letters to the federal treasurer ahead of the budget.

Young people living in specialist accommodation less than 2km from the federal treasurer’s electorate office are hoping their calls for more funding will be answered in this year’s budget.

Stella, 19, is one of five residents of the Logan Foyer who have personally written to Jim Chalmers to highlight how living at the foyer has changed their lives.

The foyer provides safe and secure housing for residents alongside education, employment and training opportunities.

“They need more like this and they need to be more known – I wouldn’t even have known that foyers even exist – put it on the radio, make a sign, build more if you have to,” said Stella (pictured).

“There’s 40 or so units here. There could be hundreds and hundreds of homeless teenagers out there that don’t even know that there’s services available that can actually help them.”

The federal government revealed on Friday it would commit to a $9.3bn five-year national agreement on social housing and homelessness.

Foyer Foundation CEO Liz Cameron-Smith said that the announcement was a “welcome” one, but a level of uncertainty remained.

“The reality is that we are yet to see the full details of the announcement,” Ms Cameron-Smith said.

Stella, 19, Caitlyn, 17, and Tyler, 20, are hoping there will be more funding for the Foyer Foundation in this week’s federal budget. Picture: Liam Kidston

DEAR TREASURER: FOYER RESIDENTS’ HEARTBREAKING PLEAS

CAITLYN

Dear Treasurer

My name is Caitlyn and I am 17 years old. I have been living at the Logan Youth Foyer for

almost a year now after experiencing periods of sleeping rough and living in crisis

accommodation.

Not every young person can stay in their family home. Many are facing abuse, neglect, poverty, addiction and crime, with some even taking part in these activities just to be able to have something to eat or somewhere to be. Some cannot get away from that situation and the police and the government are never going to be able to check on every family.

I grew up on the Sunshine Coast and life was difficult for me, and I had to make a choice to leave home. But that meant I found myself in tough circumstances because I wasn’t already connected with services that could help. I struggled with addiction for a few years, falling into the wrong crowds, trying to find somewhere to live, or even just someone who I thought could care for me. I needed to get food, clothing and shelter. Like many other young people, I didn’t want to offend, but I needed to survive.

I first experienced housing instability when I was quite young and was on my own, couch

surfing and sleeping rough. That’s how I fell into addiction, which only made my situation more unstable and limited my options even more. A few years later I left an abusive situation at 16. I wandered around the city feeling lost and battling drug withdrawal, but for the first time in years I wanted help. I found a crisis accommodation service but they told me I wasn’t eligible for the service because I wasn’t 18 and I needed to find a youth service. There is a huge gap for young people who are on their own and not old enough to be in adult accommodation. I was referred to a youth crisis accommodation service and they initially gave me food and a sleeping bag, but I had to keep sleeping rough for four weeks before they found me a spot in youth crisis accommodation.

Crisis accommodation can be great, but it’s really just there to transition you out of

homelessness. It is not a long-term solution. I stayed in crisis accommodation for about seven months before I was referred to a Youth Foyer and my life really changed. I was lucky, because not everyone has somewhere to go after crisis accommodation, and often end up returning to the streets, crisis accommodation or unhealthy living situations because there is a lack of suitable housing options.

The Foyer made life so easy for me. They offered Zoom appointments to do my application to live there and were so supportive, allowing me extra time to get things done. I was going through an extremely difficult time and they helped me every step of the way. This is the kind of consideration and care that can change a young person’s perspective on themselves and the world around them.

When I first stepped into the Youth Foyer in Logan I couldn’t believe how normal it looked. It just looked like a normal block of units and that made me feel like I had a real home and

somewhere I could be me and have my own private space for the first time in years. From the outset, they trusted me and made me feel comfortable, and allowed me space to unwind, which really was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t stress how much having a private, safe space can give a young person like me the room to heal. It was amazing to be part of a program that provided all the support I needed to get back on track with work, study, independence and a social life.

Every young person needs this kind of stability to start building their life back up. You cannot go out and get a job or study if you don’t have food or stable housing. It’s like a pyramid, you can’t start building from the top when you don’t have a base. After living at the Foyer the program has helped me to gain employment and see my own potential. I’m working five days a week and getting my driver’s licence soon so I can start studying at TAFE. I dream about becoming a social worker and using my lived experience to help others suffering from homelessness, addiction and abuse.

Young people are struggling and they need the government to act. If it wasn’t for the Foyer, I would not be able to live independently, even though I’m working. Many of my peers and I are hanging out for the pay increase we’ll get when we turn 18 and 21 because what we earn now is not enough to live on, even if we take all the night and weekend shifts that pay a little bit more. We have the same costs and responsibilities as adults because we’ve had to grow up so fast, but our rates of pay are lower than adults so it’s even tougher to make ends meet.

The cost-of-living and rental crises are making what was already a tough situation so much worse. If you think youth crime is a problem now, it will only get worse if you don’t give young people the opportunity to find stable housing and live a better life. This is a case of harm reduction and you can help right now by funding more Youth Foyers so more young people like me get the chance to turn their lives around. If parents can’t provide the love and support a young person needs, someone needs to, and that’s where Youth Foyers come in.

If you don’t act, some of us won’t make it. Many young people are suffering. My best friend took his own life because the housing system failed him. He was kicked out of crisis

accommodation and was left with zero support and that truly is a failure to our youth. We need more Youth Foyers across the country so more young people have the opportunity to get their lives back on track and become thriving members of society. Youth Foyers are the right place to start fresh and be a better person. We all deserve that chance to achieve our dreams and if we aren’t given the opportunity, how will we?

Kind Regards

Caitlyn

Current resident, Logan Youth Foyer

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Caitlyn, 17. Picture: Liam Kidston

LOGAN

Dear Treasurer

My name is Logan and I am 23 years old. In 2022 my family and I were forced to move out of our house when the rent increased absurdly and we were unable to keep up with our bills. Being a family of 7, it was hard to find a rental within our budget that could accommodate us. We all split up and went our own ways, leaving me on my own at 21 years old, with no idea what to do about my situation.

I spent almost two years of my life sleeping at showgrounds, in my car, or in a tent hidden in the bush. During this period of my life, I turned to alcohol to cope with my situation, unaware of the repercussions it would have.

When I expressed my interest in the Youth Foyer, I was honest and upfront about my

problematic drinking. Instead of turning their heads and shutting the door on me, the team

leaders of the Gold Coast Youth Foyer took the time to understand my circumstances and think about how they could help me.

The Foyer is a program for young adults who have struggled with homelessness and are

actively working on improving their lives. It embraces people and their gifts, rather than

dwelling on people’s pasts. Young adults from all walks of life, no matter whether they have struggled with drugs and alcohol or turned to crime, are accepted at Youth Foyers.

The biggest way the Foyer changed my life was by encouraging socialisation. When I was

homeless, I shut myself off to people out of fear of judgement. The Foyer helped me make new friends and be more open-minded towards myself and others. There are often social activities, like movie nights, Sunday roasts and outings, which I enjoy taking part in as they allow me to meet new people and make new friends.

If it wasn’t for the Foyer, I would still be sleeping in my car. I was working full-time when I

moved to the Foyer, and the Foyer staff here really helped me outline my goals beyond that. I enrolled in a university course and am working towards my bigger picture, thanks to the

support I received at the Foyer. Ultimately, I would like to work in the social work sector,

supporting other young people.

Nobody deserves to experience homelessness, especially young people. Until we turn 25 years old, we are at the most vulnerable moments of our life. Facing homelessness with minimal life skills and not knowing where to turn to for support is overwhelming.

I urge the federal government to act now to fund more Youth Foyers across the country so

more vulnerable young people can have the opportunities I’ve had to get my life on track and achieve my goals.

Regards

Logan

Current resident, Gold Coast Youth Foyer

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Stella, 19. Picture: Liam Kidston

STELLA

Dear Treasurer

My name is Stella and I am 19 years old and I have been living at the Logan Youth Foyer since leaving the out-of-home care system.

I have lived in the Logan-Brisbane area since the age of three. Childhood and home life was difficult for me and my younger sister.

After leaving mum’s, my sister and I spent six months living with my aunt and uncle. We then lived in environment that wasn’t good for me long-term. When I turned 17, I was relocated to a semi-independent living home for 16 to 17 year olds. There, I was able to come out of my shell. I became more active, more myself.

Once I reached 18, I was no longer the Department’s responsibility and had to find somewhere else to go. I was anxious about finding a rental and having to move in with strangers. I was so worn out from previous living arrangements and I didn’t want that life anymore. I was lucky enough to be accepted to the Logan Foyer.

Foyers offer safe, stable accommodation. There are staff members on site to assist when we need it. There are Earning & Learning coaches who help with education and employment, as well as youth workers who keep us on track with our personal goals and ambitions.

My first goal was to complete high school, which I have. Now I’m enrolled at TAFE completing a Diploma in Crime and Justice. Eventually, I want to join the police force. I am really proud of the way I have learnt to live independently. It is empowering to know that you can do things for yourself. I have experienced anxiety and depression in the past, but now I go to the gym three days a week and am focused on feeling better mentally and physically.

We need more Foyers. The forty units here at Logan are not enough for the number of kids who are homeless out there. There are so many other communities and so many young people struggling with homelessness right now. There should be more opportunities and safe places for these kids to come to, to build a better future.

Yours sincerely

Stella

Current resident, Logan Youth Foyer

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KORRINNE

Dear Treasurer

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Korrinne, and I am a 19-year-old participant at the Gold Coast Foyer. I am writing to you because I am passionate about advocating for the homeless, drawing from my own experiences of growing up in unstable housing.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to read my letter. It means a great deal to me.

The support I have received from the Gold Coast Youth Foyer over the past year has been invaluable to me. I cannot overstate my appreciation for the safe and affordable housing

provided by the Foyer, coupled with the unwavering support of its kind-hearted staff. They

have been a constant source of encouragement and assistance whenever I have needed them.

My journey to this point has been filled with challenges. From living away from my parents since the age of two, to residing in residential housing, and enduring a toxic relationship, separated from much of my family, it has been a tumultuous road. However, the Foyer has been a beacon of hope in my life.

The Foyer experience is unlike any other. It is a place where individuals are seen, supported, and understood. It offers a chance to leave the past behind and embrace a new, independent way of living. The sense of community among the participants is truly remarkable.

Thanks to the support I have received, I have been able to focus on my health and fitness

journey for the past 1.5 years. Additionally, I am currently studying full time for my Diploma in Beauty at TAFE QLD, with plans to work as a Beauty Therapist later this year. The opportunities afforded to me by the Foyer have been life changing.

I am filled with hope for the future. With the ability to save money for travel and explore career opportunities both locally and abroad, I am optimistic about what lies ahead.

The Gold Coast Youth Foyer is making a tangible difference in the lives of young adults like myself. I am living proof of its transformative power. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping young people like me feel heard and valued.

Please consider funding more Youth Foyers across the country so more young people like me have the opportunity to access such life-changing services.

Yours faithfully

Korrinne

Current resident, Gold Coast Youth Foyer

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Tyler, 20. Picture: Liam Kidston

TYLER

Dear Treasurer

My name is Tyler and I’m 20 years old. I started couch-surfing a couple of months before I

turned 17 because of many factors, including my gender identity and undiagnosed autism. I relied on the kindness, goodwill and tolerance of my friends’ parents, who gave me a place to sleep and a family to live with for long stretches of time when I could no longer live at home.

For me, the hardest part of seeking and accessing help was accepting that I did need help, and more importantly, that I deserved it. I’m painfully aware of how many young people there are on our streets right now and I still felt like an impostor for trying to access the limited supports available for young people experiencing homelessness..

If I hadn’t moved into a Youth Foyer, I truly believe I would not be alive today. I attempted

suicide twice, both times during the years that followed leaving my parents’ home. I was barely getting by, feeling like a burden on people who didn’t even have a familial obligation to care for me, was losing friendships, struggling to finish high school and then struggling to maintain enrolment in university. I was coming to terms with my gender identity, trying to survive as an undiagnosed autistic teen, and nothing in my life seemed to be going right.

The Youth Foyer model functions on the idea of supporting young people in all areas of their life, to move on into independent living. I have a key worker whom I communicate with almost daily (sometimes just to have a chat), a connections coach who supports me to stay engaged in university and employment, and a community here with BBQs, events, and other opportunities.

Since moving into a Youth Foyer last year, I’ve completed almost half of my Bachelor of Visual Art, heading towards working in the field of art therapy or disability support. At the same time, I’m completing a Cert IV in School-Based Education Support to become a support person for disabled students in primary schools, and I’m working as a swim teacher. I’m a passionate artist, spending time volunteering at Logan West Community Art Share Alliance, and I’m a strong advocate for youth homeless solutions in Australia.

I think the main reason the Foyer worked so well for me was that it refused to let me isolate myself. I had people on my side who wanted to see me succeed — people who understood that the emotional, social and psychological consequences of being homeless were all something that needed more than just stable accommodation to repair. Specifically for me, some of that support was in social groups that created a space to make friends, opportunities for advocacy to grow as a person, and in the referrals and administrative support that my key worker was able to provide. Together, we’ve started the process for a legal name change to match my chosen name, got an autism diagnosis and submitted an NDIS application, and started ongoing support with Open Doors — a queer youth support service.

Foyers turn away large numbers of people due to a sheer lack of capacity. Please act to ensure this is no longer the case. For many reasons, vulnerable young people across the country need assistance to finish school, go on to further study and get jobs so they can lead successful lives. We can’t all live at home or count on family support. This budget, you can give more young people the chance to thrive.

Sincerely

Tyler

Current resident, Logan Youth Foyer