Youth homeless accommodation ‘Haven House’ opens in Kingaroy

A brand new four bedroom duplex that will house at-risk youth in the South Burnett has welcomed its first residents.

A group of supporters outside the newly opened Haven House in Kingaroy on February 4 2025. The house will provide accommodation for at-risk youth.

A housing project specifically designed to address the housing crisis facing at-risk youth in the South Burnett has opened its doors and welcomed its first residents.

Haven House Kingaroy is a newly completed four-bedroom duplex that acts as a transitional space, giving young people who are experiencing housing instability, homelessness or unsafe living arrangements a stable and safe living environment while they search for permanent housing.

The accommodation will be able to house about eight young people each year.

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The outside of Haven House Kingaroy, completed 2025.

Reports from the National Emergency Management Agency revealed there were about 120 people in the South Burnett listed as homeless, and the 2023 Local Housing Action Plan released by the South Burnett Regional Council stated the region had less than three per cent social housing.

Data from Domain showed rent rates in the South Burnett have increased by 15.4 per cent year-on-year, with an average rental vacancy rate of less than one per cent, highlighting the issue of housing accessibility in the region.

Haven House was a joint project between two non-profit organisations, the Property Industry Foundation and South Burnett CTC.

Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills and South Burnett CTC CEO Jason Erbacher at the officially opening of Haven House Kingaroy, on February 4 2025.

Property Industry Foundation chief executive Kate Mills said the project would bring a tangible and positive change to young people in Kingaroy who might otherwise face daunting outcomes.

“Our hope is Haven House Kingaroy will help to support young people as they search for permanent and safe housing solutions and explore pathways to pursuing security, education, employment and most importantly, their mental health and wellbeing,” she said.

South Burnett CTC chief executive Jason Erbacher said the project had increased transitional housing in Kingaroy by more than 200 per cent, working in collaboration with CTC’s existing Malcolm’s Youth Hostel.

“The partnership between ourselves and the Property Industry Foundation has brought about a rarely seen chance for those of us who are passionate about uplifting homeless and at-risk youth to have real impact on the issue,” he said.

Haven House will be operated by South Burnett CTC’s Specialist Homelessness Service, which also provides one-on-one support and case management for young people.

Originally published as Youth homeless accommodation ‘Haven House’ opens in Kingaroy