‘Education first’
At Anglicare we believe in the transformative value of education in overcoming disadvantages associated with housing instability.
Anglicare manages three supported accommodation facilities for people aged 16-24 who are on a low income and eligible for social housing: Eveline House in Devonport, Thyne House in Launceston and Trinity Hill in Hobart.
General Manager Housing and Community Noel Mundy explains: “Safe and affordable housing is an essential stepping stone towards a productive and fulfilled life. Having a roof over their heads gives young people the chance to take a breath and get in the right headspace to think about what they want from life and how they can achieve it.
“We encourage them to make the most of their strengths and abilities and in particular, to explore opportunities for further education and training,” he said. “When a young person completes year 12 or a Certificate III qualification they position themselves well to participate fully in the labour market and in society in general, which is why we refer to the young people who live in our facilities as students, rather than residents or tenants.
“Our focus is on supporting and investing in these young people so that they develop the skills they need to reach their full potential,” said Noel.
Ruby calls Eveline home
Eveline House in Devonport comprises 25 self-contained units, five of them purpose-built for people with disability. Students can also access a laundry, gym, common areas, outdoor spaces and a games room.
Twenty-year-old Ruby (pictured above) moved in almost four months ago, after a period of struggling to find affordable accommodation. Eveline suits her active lifestyle, with the on-site gym and plenty of hiking options close by. It’s also convenient to her part-time job in customer service.
“Walking in the door you don’t really know what to expect; my first impression was that there would be a curfew and stuff like that, but that hasn’t been the case,” she says.
“I’ve always been pretty independent so the transition has been easy for me. And if you need help with anything there’s endless support, for example I’m about to sit an aptitude test for entry into the Australian Defence Force. I need to brush up on my maths and English and the staff have gone out of their way to find me a tutor.”
Ruby has mapped out several pathways to achieving her goals:
I’ve wanted to be a police officer since I was six years old and the military police really interests me. If I don’t get into the ADF, either full-time or in the Reserves, I’m planning to start a Bachelor of Justice Studies through UTAS in Launceston this July.
Further information
If you or a person you know would like more information about Anglicare’s accommodation services for young people, visit Anglicare’s website.
You can read more about the Education First Youth Foyer Model here.
The national Everybody’s Home campaign invites people to sign a petition calling on the Australian Government to end youth homelessness by giving young people:
- adequate income support to afford rent
- access to social housing
- support to recover from homelessness and to connect with education.
Photo credit: Annah Fromberg, ABC News
