Revealed: Southport Youth Foyer to be built on corner of High and North Street
THE location of youth homeless accommodation has been revealed, providing 40 rooms for vulnerable youth, but some locals are unhappy that the State Government did not consult with the community.
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WORK on a $13.4 million youth homelessness assistance centre in Southport will start early next year.
The Southport Youth Foyer will be built on the corner of North and High streets and will be operational by late next year.
The site will occupy 51-53 North Street and 130 High Street. It was purchased for $2.65 million by the State Government.
The 40 single-occupancy, self-contained studio units will offer secure housing and educational opportunities for those facing homelessness between the ages of 16 to 25.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the Foyer is a key part of reducing homelessness.
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“Improving the pathways from homelessness to safe, secure and sustainable housing is a key element of our $1.8 billion Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 announced in June 2017,” he said.
“The strategy is a long-term plan to embrace innovation and a commitment to make meaningful changes that lead to better long-term housing outcomes for Queenslanders.”
Homelessness has been of increasing concern to the Gold Coast community, with approximately 4000 locals living vulnerably.
Flop houses and even semipermanent tent setups are becoming more common, while advocates for ending homelessness have asked the Government and council to step in.
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The Southport Youth Foyer has been allocated $13.4 million in funding. Tenants will pay 25 per cent of any income they make in rent.
“This is no hand-out,” Mr de Brenni said.
“This is about providing a secure environment for young people who are unable to live at home with their families.”
Sam O’Connor, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth, believed his electorate was the right spot for the Foyer. However, he disapproved of the “secretive” way the site selection was carried out.
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“Southport is the right spot for it being close to lots of services like TAFE and Griffith Uni, both essential to the success of the Foyer with its focus on study,” said Mr O’Connor, the Member for Bonney.
“The big problem is the secrecy around it. I’m not aware of any community consultation with residents surrounding the site.
“The Government has completely left them out and missed the chance to gain the strength of community support for the project.
“Not even the school next door knew it was happening.”
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