The Hodgman Liberal Government is rolling out initiatives under our Affordable Housing Action Plan to help Tasmanians in need, including young people at risk of homelessness.
Today, I toured the new nine unit youth at risk facility at Moonah. The service will provide residential based support for young people between the ages of 12-15 who are at risk of, or already experiencing, homelessness.
This is a particularly vulnerable group in the community, because we know that the younger someone is when they first experience homelessness, the more likely they are to remain homeless for a longer period of time.
The new facility will create a safe and supportive environment, providing both intensive and specialist support for these young Tasmanians.
The facility will be fitted out with beds, furniture, blinds, white goods, bedding, linen, office and outdoor furniture to provide for the needs of the young people whilst they are at the facility.
The new service will be operational in May and will primarily provide short-term accommodation with the aim of ensuring the young person's safety and helping them to reconnect with family, school and other services.
Colony 47 and Housing Tasmania are currently working with a range of key stakeholders to communicate the role of the service and establish the referral system.
The Hodgman Liberal Government allocated a total cost of $1.7 million to this facility and have committed $800,000 per year for its operation as part of our ongoing commitment to youth at risk.
This new supported accommodation facility for young people will complement Trinity Hill in North Hobart, Thyne House in Launceston and a 25 unit youth accommodation facility nearing completion in Devonport.
Together, these sites are about a stronger response to Youth Homelessness by providing more accommodation and support for young people at risk.
The announcement coincides with Youth Homelessness Matters Day, part of a national campaign to create awareness of, and encourage action on, youth homelessness.
Youth homelessness is a complex problem, but the Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to investing in crisis and supported accommodation to address unmet demand, particularly for young people.
Our Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan includes a range of initiatives targeted at young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in each region of the state.
This also complements the work being done to progress the nine key solutions identified by the Housing Summit.
This is in conjunction with our other housing incentive programs committed at the State Election which include:
Link to Housing Fact Sheet: http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/373511/Action_on_Housing_Fact_Sheet.pdf