May 2025 Service Update >

QUICK EXIT
bys Logo
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Quality, Research & Innovation
  • How We Help
    • Crisis & Immediate Support
    • Housing
    • Health
    • Young Women
    • Family Support
    • Other Support
    • Young Peoples Stories
    • Our Impact
  • Work With Us
    • Employee Value Proposition
    • Employment Opportunties
    • Board Opportunities
    • Volunteering
    • Student Placements
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Partner with Us
    • Fundraise
    • Leave a Gift in Your Will
    • Youth Homelessness Matters Day
    • Daggy Jumper Day
  • News
    • All news
    • Publications
    • Homelessness & Young People – The Facts
    • Resources
  • Contact
    • Contact BYS
    • Need Help?
    • FAQ’s
    • Complaints and Compliments
  • Donate
  • Call Us

Arlene

Do you need help?

I am a young Aboriginal, Gurang Gurang woman, who didn’t have the best upbringing which led to me living on the streets.

I couldn’t live with any other family as it was too over-crowded, and I needed my own space for me and my 3 children.

When living on the streets, the friends I made told me about BYS. I then accessed BYS supports for the pantry which is how I knew they might be able to help with housing.

Before BYS could help with finding me a home, my only option was to couch surf with my kids in the Gold Coast. My goal was to return to Brisbane and have my own house. I was adamant about achieving this and regularly reached out to BYS on the phone and I was offered a lot of support despite being out of the catchment area. This meant a lot, as other local services couldn’t offer the type of support that BYS did.

I was allocated an Immediate Housing Response for Families (IHR-F) worker who supported me from afar with access to services, emergency respite accommodation and continued to help me search for properties. BYS kept in contact with me regularly and it felt great to know there was always someone I could call.

In early 2023, my couch surfing option was no longer available, so BYS brought my family up to Brisbane and got us all emergency accommodation in a motel. This was our first taste of being in our own house as a family. My worker helped by putting in referrals for housing and in May 2023, we landed ourselves a house.

I just want to say I am very grateful to BYS; without them I wouldn’t be where I am now, and I wouldn’t be able to do the things I want to do. I finally can pursue my own dreams and goals and know that my family have a safe home.

“I finally can pursue my own dreams and goals and know that my family have a safe home.”
Read more stories
Need help, have a question or
want to find us?
Contact Us
Stay up to date with our news and latest initiatives to see how we are creating new futures for young people.
Get Updates
© 2025 Brisbane Youth Service Privacy

Brisbane Youth Service respectfully acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagera people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands where BYS operates.

We pay respect to their Elders past and present, lores, customs and creation spirits. BYS acknowledges and celebrates the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play within BYS and the community.

View our Reconciliation Action Plan
© 2025 Brisbane Youth Service Privacy
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Quality, Research & Innovation
  • How We Help
    • Crisis & Immediate Support
    • Housing
    • Health
    • Young Women
    • Family Support
    • Other Support
    • Young Peoples Stories
    • Our Impact
  • Work With Us
    • Employee Value Proposition
    • Employment Opportunties
    • Board Opportunities
    • Volunteering
    • Student Placements
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Partner with Us
    • Fundraise
    • Leave a Gift in Your Will
    • Youth Homelessness Matters Day
    • Daggy Jumper Day
  • News
    • All news
    • Publications
    • Homelessness & Young People – The Facts
    • Resources
  • Contact
    • Contact BYS
    • Need Help?
    • FAQ’s
    • Complaints and Compliments
  • Donate
  • Call Us
📢 May 2025 service update

There continues to be very high demand for emergency accommodation for young people and young families in Brisbane. We are working hard to create more options, but many nights, all beds are at capacity.

If you need support, we offer a walk-in service in the afternoons. We know it’s hard to get through on our phone lines and we are working on solutions to improve this.

🚶‍➡️May walk-in hours

📅 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
⏰ 1 – 4 pm

The Youth Support Centre is closed for the Labour Day holiday on 5 May and for staff training on Wednesday 14 May.

Appointments only during other opening hours

Our Intake and Brief Intervention team work very hard to support young people with immediate and emergency housing however options are extremely limited due to available emergency accommodation.

Unfortunately, presenting or being directed to our service does not guarantee a place to stay. We understand this is frustrating, and we will do our best to support you. When you arrive, we’ll talk through your options, which may include housing if available. We may also provide food, transport, referrals, and other help that fits your needs.

📋 Working together to find solutions

We’re working with other organisations to better coordinate support in Brisbane and South-East Queensland. Adding your name to the Brisbane Zero By-Name List helps make your situation visible and keeps you a priority for housing. A youth worker can help you do this when you visit.