The state government announced the completion of ten new houses in Werribee for young people aged 16-24 years on Thursday, December 12.
Minister for Housing Harriet Shing visited the newly completed apartments, which the state government said will provide a safe, supportive home for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those leaving care.
The apartments were built with a $3.6 million investment from the state government and $800,000 in support from Melbourne City Mission, the latter of whom will provide ongoing support for residents.
The new homes will use the core and cluster housing model, which are specifically designed to provide independent living spaces close to support systems such as education, employment and therapeutic services.
Also at the launch was Tara Booth, a young person who just over a year ago was struggling with youth homelessness. Tara has been exposed first hand to the “challenges, amount of resilience, stigma and barriers that homelessness inflicts upon young people“.
“Housing like this is a step in the right direction in eradicating the youth homelessness epidemic. It supports us by allowing us to focus on the important things whilst having the support such as with education, physical and mental health, social support as well as allowing us the space to breathe and feel safe,“ Tara said.
“Having a home has gifted me back my independence, sense of security and allowed me to have a safe place to call mine.“
