Michael Ferguson,Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is improving access to housing and education for vulnerable Tasmanians by increasing new affordable housing options across the State.
The Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-2023 outlines the Tasmanian Government’s delivery of more supported youth accommodation facilities that include integrated education and employment options, and develop young people’s independent living skills.
Tenders have been advertised for construction of a new Youth2Independence (Y2I) facility in Burnie, providing 25 independent single-bedroom units, staff accommodation, and communal and associated facilities.
Tenders close on 27 April with construction expected to start in June and be completed by June 2023.
The Mooreville Road site is ideal for the new youth facility as it is next to both the Burnie TasTAFE campus and Hellyer College, and is close to health and transport services, and other educational and training facilities.
The development is a terrific opportunity to grow a thriving community that provides accommodation, support and life solutions for residents.
It will be be managed by Youth, Family and Community Connections (YFCC), a not-for-profit community organisation that provides a range of services to young people, families and individuals across the North-West and West coasts.
Three Y2I facilities are already successfully providing services to young Tasmanians: Trinity Hill in Hobart, Thyne House in Launceston and Eveline House in Devonport.
Work is underway to increase the size of the current 30-bed Launceston facility, with the $8.9 million, 20-unit expansion expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, work has commenced on a second Y2I facility in Hobart, which will provide 26 units next to the TasTAFE campus in Campbell St. The $13.5 million project is expected to be completed in June 2023.
By investing in more Y2I facilities, the Tasmanian Government is helping more young Tasmanians build their lives through secure accommodation and support to reach independence.
Y2I is based on the international Education First Youth Foyer program, which supports young people to develop and succeed in education and employment pathways and transition to independent young adults.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is taking further action to provide support for vulnerable North-West youth, with construction underway on a crisis and transitional accommodation facility.
The new site in Burnie will have eight one-bedroom crisis accommodation units, with kitchen, dining, lounge, gym, laundry, recreation and outdoor areas, along with a reception, office, consulting and interview rooms, and a self-contained staff residence.
This will be co-located with a longer-term transitional accommodation facility with 15 self-contained one-bedroom units with gym, storage and outdoor recreation areas and consulting rooms.
The $8 million project, which is expected to be completed in early 2023, will provide an integrated learning and accommodation setting for young people aged 13-20 who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness or who are exiting out-of-home care.
It will replace the current outdated eight-unit building and a number of transitional units dispersed in the community with a new purpose-built facility to improve service delivery and capacity. It will also be managed by YFCC.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises the housing struggles facing Tasmanians and is responding with a massive 10-year, $1.5 billion housing package – the largest housing investment in the State’s history – to build on our existing reforms and take further action to provide even more affordable accommodation.
If you are at risk of homelessness please contact Housing Connect, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 800 588.
