Youth foyers expanded to help at-risk young Queenslanders
- Crisafulli Government's Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan to deliver eight new youth foyers across state.
- First new Youth Foyers to be established in Cairns, Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay.
- Services also to be supported by the 20% uplift for specialist homelessness services delivered by the Crisafulli Government over the next four years.
The Crisafulli Government has announced it will deliver eight new youth foyers to support young people facing housing insecurity, promised as part of the Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan.
The services will deliver critical support to young people without housing and be beneficiaries of the Government's 20 percent uplift in funding for specialist homelessness services over the next four years.
The Crisafulli Government has extended the funding boost to specialist homelessness services over the next four years, after a temporary funding bump by the former Government was budgeted to end in June 2025.
The eight new Youth Foyers will be delivered across the state, including Cairns, Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay with the other five locations to be determined. These will build on Queensland's three existing youth foyers currently operating on the Gold Coast, in Logan and Townsville.
Youth foyers provide young people aged 16 to 25 at risk of or experiencing homelessness with a safe and stable place to stay, with wraparound support, while they complete their education, get into the workforce and find their own place to call home.
Foyer residents pay 25% of their income and spend an average of 18 months in this supportive housing environment.
Minister O'Connor said specialist homelessness services and youth foyers were critical in addressing the Queensland Housing Crisis and helping vulnerable Queenslanders.
"We are backing in the frontline staff who are on the ground helping people by locking in record funding for specialist homelessness services and youth foyers," Minister O'Connor said.
"These workers and the organisations they work for deserve certainty in their contracts which is why we're locking in funding agreements with these providers for this entire period.
"Youth foyers like the one on the Gold Coast help ensure vulnerable young people don't fall through the cracks and get the support they need to turn their lives around.
"We will help keep more young people off the streets by delivering this successful model across the State."
Jackson Hills, Acting CEO of QShelter said the Government's commitment was critical.
"We know youth foyer programs are evidence-based and produce excellent outcomes, including inspiring young people who have transitioned through this program back into the economy and workforce," Mr Jackson said.
"The funding uplift announcement, particularly the confirmation that it will be in the budget and forward estimates, is a significant step for our sector.
"Thousands of staff across Queensland, who are responding to unprecedented levels of homelessness and housing stress, will breathe easier tonight knowing they can back their teams to continue this important work.
"The commitment to eight youth foyers across the state reinforces Queensland's leadership in addressing youth homelessness through proven, impactful solutions."
Maria Leebeek, Chairperson of Gold Coast Homelessness Network and CEO of Gold Coast Youth Services, said the funding uplift was vital for services like Youth Foyers to continue responding effectively to homelessness.
"We are incredibly appreciative of the Premier's support in highlighting the critical role of Youth Foyers in supporting young people as they transition into independence," Ms Leebeek said.
"These models provide not just accommodation but a foundation for education, employment, and personal growth—empowering young people to build their futures.
"The funding uplift is particularly vital for services like ours to continue responding effectively to homelessness, and the recognition of workforce conditions is a welcome acknowledgment of the dedication of staff across the state.
"With youth foyers like this one, we have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on youth homelessness, and we need to see more of them rolled out across Queensland."
