Visions came to life on Thursday as the First Response Youth Service Refuge in South Morang celebrated its grand opening, with many proud faces in attendance.
A long-awaited milestone since 2018 no more, Hope Street Youth and Family Services have successfully established a 12-bedroom centre in partnership with the State Government, the City of Whittlesea, MIRVAC, and the Property Industry Foundation.
The new facility will provide essential support to young people aged 16–25 and their children experiencing homelessness. It offers 12 emergency response beds, including two units specifically for young families, including one dedicated to young First Nations families.
Specialised youth-focused services will also be offered on-site, with a professional team of youth workers dedicated to assessing each young person’s unique needs and circumstances.
Workers will develop a personalised plan for each client, offering support and connecting youth to resources that help them to achieve their goals, with a particular focus on health and wellbeing, social connections, and, ultimately, securing a safe place to call home.
The first group of young people will enter the centre this month.
Minister for Housing Harriet Shing opened the centre on December 5 with community partners who shared the drive to be part of the solution to youth homelessness—specifically in the City of Whittlesea, where homelessness is a major concern.
Ms Shing said the site would have a positive effect on many.
“This innovative housing model in South Morang will not only provide the stability of a home, but will provide support for young people to connect with vital services so they can transition to the next stage of their lives,” she said.
“As part of the Youth Capital Grants Program, we’re proud to deliver more than 130 homes through a range of housing options, including youth foyers that integrate housing with education, employment and other support services, or youth supported accommodation and projects focused on young Victorians leaving out-of-home care.”
Returning to where it all began, Wurundjeri and Woiwurrung man Craig Murphy-Wandin opened the grand event with a Smoking Ceremony, acknowledging the Wurundjeri Peoples’ profound connection to the land, water, and communities at the site.
Hope Street Youth and Family Services Chief Executive Donna Bennett said she was truly grateful and inspired by the actions of community members to be part of the solution.
“Solutions are what is needed to address youth homelessness, and it is critical that all community members are a part of the solution,” she said.
“The First Response Youth Service centre providing supported crisis accommodation to young people is a successful solution that offers the community and young people a key first step on the pathway out of homelessness.”
Among the many guests was Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio, who had previously visited the site during its construction in May this year.
Ms D’Ambrosio described it as an exciting project that addressed the needs of the community.
“This is a wonderful facility that will be able to give young people a safe place to be able to set themselves up, get a rhythm in their life … all of those things which are giving people who need that extra support a really good way to start on that journey,” she said.
“I’ve realised now for a few years that Hope Street had this wonderful vision that they’ve already tested, and it’s working really well in the outer western suburbs, and it was something that I was so excited for us to be able to get in the outer northern suburbs.
“Everyone is sharing in the vision here, because we know it works.”
City of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Aidan McLindon said council was pleased to be a partner in finding a solution to support young people by providing the land for the project.
“No person should be left without a bed to sleep on and a roof to cover them,” he said.
“The youth refuge is a really important step towards helping address youth homelessness.
“I appreciate that the Victorian Government has seen the need to fund this project with Hope Street for coordinating the build and running the centre.”
To find out more information on Hope Street, visit www.hopest.org.
