Together, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS), Brisbane City Council (BCC), the Property Industry Foundation and generous corporate partners have turned a vacant house into a home for four young people experiencing homelessness.
The property, made available through the BCC Community Housing Partnership Project, was generously furnished by five of the Foundation’s corporate sponsors, who donated items and rolled up their sleeves at a working bee to create beautiful living spaces for the young residents.
BYS is applying the Advantaged Thinking model to ‘Falconer House’, providing a safe and supportive place to live while integrating education, employment, and life skills under one roof.
“This multi-tiered partnership demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved when community unites in their response to the youth homelessness crisis,” said BYS CEO Pam Barker.
“BYS’s Falconer House gives young residents the opportunity to live in an exclusive Brisbane suburb and experience a life without disadvantage while they pursue their career planning and goals.”
“While living in the home, they will be supported by a BYS Youth Development Coach to reach their potential and grow the skills required to ensure a successful transition to independence.”
Property Industry Foundation Queensland State Manager Antoinette Rusby-Perera said the Foundation is exceptionally proud to support projects like BYS’s Falconer House, that provide stability and opportunity for occupants to learn, live out their dreams, and make their contribution to society.
“We commend Brisbane City Council and Brisbane Youth Service on forming this partnership to utilise properties like these to accommodate at risk youth using the Advantage Thinking model. The Foundation and its corporate donors are thrilled to assist with giving the future tenants a comfortable place to live by making this house a home,” said Ms Rusby-Perera.
“The Foundation would like to acknowledge and thank King Living and the 35 participants from the five corporate donor companies, ADG Engineers, Bluebird Property, MBM, TTM and Urbis for their overwhelming generosity.”
The Working Bee!
The finished product, a beautiful space now home to four young people supported by BYS.
Notes:
- Brisbane City Council’s Community Housing Partnership Project uses vacant properties earmarked for future development as a practical solution to the housing crisis.
- The Property Industry Foundation brings together the property and construction industry in a unique collaboration to have a tangible impact on youth homelessness, building and providing ongoing support for homes such as Falconer House, where young people can rebuild their lives.
- Advantaged Thinking is the Foyer Foundation’s philosophy that promotes people’s strengths rather than defining them by their deficits. It invests in potential and creates sustainable solutions and practices, building for the future as well as the here and now.
- Each year, Brisbane Youth Service supports thousands of young people in crisis (aged 12-25 years) and young families, and the demand continues to increase significantly each year.
- The number of requests for assistance from young people has increased by 88% over the past 3 years.
- In 2021-22, 72% had experienced family violence, 63% had a diagnosed mental health issue, 44% were homeless, and 21% were young parents
- Most were also experiencing a range of other complex issues and barriers such as:
– 76% were in unsafe, unsuitable or unaffordable housing
– 54% had no or poor family support
– 45% had experienced past relationship violence
– 23% had current legal issues
– 18% had no source of income
Since 1977, Brisbane Youth Service has been working to create new futures for vulnerable and at-risk young people (aged 12-25 years) and their children, providing free, confidential services including: crisis and transitional housing; emergency relief; physical and mental health services; alcohol and drug interventions; and specialist programs for young women and young families.
Brisbane Youth Service meets young people at a crucial time of great need but also great opportunity for early intervention, if able to provide critical wraparound supports.