YOUTH homelessness is an increasing concern in Wangaratta with house and rental prices soaring across the North East region.
The median rental property in Wangaratta costs $340 per week, while the youth allowance is only $184.
Wangaratta has no youth refuge for 16 to 17–year–olds and there is little supported accommodation for young people while they study.
As a way of addressing youth homelessness and improving education and employment outcomes for disengaged young people, GOTAFE, NESAY Inc, Uniting Housing (Victoria) Limited and Brotherhood of St Laurence are collaborating to advocate for an Education First Youth Foyer in Wangaratta.
The youth foyer will combine affordable medium–term accommodation, education and training, empowering students to successfully transition from school into work.
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The Wangaratta Youth Foyer will feature 40 studio apartments to provide secure accommodation for young people between 16 to 24 years old experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
While living at the foyer, young people will be supported to undertake education, training and employment to expand their capabilities.
GOTAFE has operated the Education First Youth Foyer in Shepparton for over five years and in that time, more than 200 young people have been supported to complete their studies.
When student Shakara Howard Knights first moved into the youth foyer, she lacked many basic life skills.
"I knew nothing. I didn't even know how to work a washing machine," she said.
"But the staff here have definitely helped quite a lot with cooking and cleaning and just learning how to take care of myself.
"The staff here help you be the best that you can be in everything you do, especially in education."
Shakara has now completed her VCE studies and has enrolled in an Applied Health Science Degree at RMIT University.
"If I hadn't moved in here, I probably would've dropped out last year, but here I am going to RMIT this year," she said.
Another student Brenden Dehne–Jenkins has been in residential care from the age of 10 and moved into the Shepparton Youth Foyer at 18.
He enjoys the structure and safety of living at the youth foyer.
"You've got to be safe where you are and happy where you are and enjoy it," Brenden said.
The students have their own secure room which consists of a living space, kitchenette and bathroom.
There are also communal areas including a kitchen, games room and office with youth development workers on hand at all times.
Brenden is now using his past experiences to help others in similar situations and is currently completing a Certificate Four in Community Services.
VCAL student Tayla Fawkner has found the youth foyer a very supportive and welcoming environment.
"A lot of people are quite worried when they first move in but it's not as scary as it seems," she said.
"It's a new environment, there's a lot of people but we've all come from the same background, we all understand to an extent how everyone feels when they move in here.
"There is always going to be someone that's a friendly face, come up to you and make you feel welcome.
"You're not only friends, you become a family at the foyer 'cause a lot of people outside of their foyer life haven't got people that they can call family, so it's really good making connections."
The Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer has made a significant difference, providing positive interventions at a key stage in young people's lives.
But it's not just formal education that occurs at the youth foyer, participants are taught life skills that will empower them to become self–sufficient.
Matt Jobling, team leader of the Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer said often they see young people come in who are relying on Centrelink.
"By the time their two–year stay is up or less, they're fully independent, they've got employment, some students have purchased cars, safer houses and transitioned into another space," he said.
"I strongly believe that the foyer in Wangaratta will actually raise more awareness and you'll probably come to realise that once it is built, there is a need for it, bigger than you expected there was."
Find out how you can support the Education First Youth Foyer in Wangaratta by visiting gotafe.vic.edu.au.
