News

Do you need help?

Latest News

Posted Nov 24, 2023

10 NEWS FIRST: One in three homeless under 25

The concerning statistics have sparked calls for landlords to consider the impacts of raising the rent, as demands for youth support services soar. Watch the full story on 10 News First:

Posted Nov 08, 2023

COURIER MAIL: Unprecedented: Demand for support services through the roof

Queensland charities are experiencing unprecedented demand, with inflation, rate rises and the housing crisis leading to record numbers of vulnerable and disadvantaged residents seeking help for the first time in their lives. Vinnies, Rosies Friends on the Street, OzHarvest and Lifeline’s UnitingCare have all reported an increase in demand with the vast number made up […]

Posted Nov 06, 2023

For some young people, a sleeping bag and safety plan is their only option

As chief executive Pam Barker explained, the service only provides those items if it’s the only option left. “Our first option is a bed in a hotel or motel or in one of our services,” she said. “If a young person does have to sleep rough, we provide them with a sleeping bag and a […]

Posted Nov 06, 2023

Brisbane Times: Brisbane Youth Service launches fundraising appeal

BYS CEO Pam Barker says youth homelessness in Brisbane has hit a crisis point, and more needs to be done at a time when short and long-term accommodation options are in high demand. “The housing options for a young person with limited funds and no rental history is bleak. There’s just nothing available,” Barker said. […]

Posted Nov 06, 2023

Courier Mail: Youth services buckling under increase in young people with no secure place to live

Schoolchildren as young as 12 are among more than 650 youths knocking on the door of Brisbane Youth Service each month desperately needing help. The housing crisis means that there is often no accommodation available, and young people are now faced with a night of rough sleeping. When they arrive at the service, 47 per […]

Posted Oct 27, 2023

ABC News: Could Australia end homelessness in 10 years?

Australia’s homelessness could end in just 10 years, that’s according to the sector’s peak body. Homelessness Australia has made a number of proposals as part of its submission to the Federal Government’s National Housing and Homelessness Plan. Featured: Faith, woman who was facing homelessness Kate Colvin, Homelessness Australia chief executive Nicole Gurran, University of Sydney […]

Posted Oct 26, 2023

Annual General Meeting – 21 November 2023

The Brisbane Youth Service AGM will be held on Tuesday 21 November 2023. 3:30-5:00pm Brisbane Youth Service Hub 42 McLachlan Street Fortitude Valley We hope you can join us to celebrate the achievements of the past year. Please RSVP by Thursday, 16 November to events@brisyouth.org. The following documents are available to download: Notice of Annual […]

Media Release, Oct 17, 2023

Brisbane Youth Service receives new funding for domestic violence program from the Paul Ramsay Foundation

Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) has been awarded a $250,000 grant to enhance its services for young people using violence. The grant is part of a $13.6 million funding package that the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF), in partnership with the Australian Communities Foundation (ACF), has distributed to 58 organisations in Australia working with key groups impacted […]

Media Release, Sep 28, 2023

Brisbane Youth Service Welcomes State Government Announcement of New Emergency Accommodation for Young People

Brisbane Youth Service is grateful to Minister Scanlon and the Queensland Department of Housing for today’s announcement that a vacant Brisbane motel will be transformed to accommodate vulnerable young people experiencing homelessness. Brisbane Youth Service CEO Pam Barker said that while the sector works to create long-term housing solutions, all emergency options must be explored […]

Posted Sep 06, 2023

BYS STATEMENT – VOICE TO PARLIAMENT

BYS STATEMENT – VOICE TO PARLIAMENT Message from our President Mark Wheatley and CEO Pam Barker At BYS, we are proud to support the Voice to Parliament. Since 1977, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) has worked to create new futures for homeless and at-risk young people (aged 12-25 years) and their children. We meet young people […]

Posted Jul 20, 2023

Brisbane Community Takes Action to Address Youth Homelessness

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 […]

Posted May 19, 2023

Courier Mail: What the New Housing Minister Must Do

BYS congratulates and welcomes our new Minister for Housing, the Honourable Meaghan Scanlon MP. Following the cabinet shake-up, BYS CEO Pam Barker shared her thoughts with the Courier Mail on the pressing priorities and potential solutions for the new housing minister. Minister Scanlon visited BYS late last year for a frank discussion about how to […]