Youth Transitional Housing Service

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The ALSO Foundation ALSORTS Youth House was initiated in 2005 as a response to the recognition that the needs of homeless same sex attracted young people (“SSAY”) were not always well addressed by existing services and systems. In partnership with our support providers the Family Access Network (FAN) the house opened in October 2006: supported by significant community contribution and to much acclaim.

In the period October 2006 to April 2007 the house has ccommodated 9 young people with exit outcomes comparable to other young people in like services. After 6 months of operation The ALSO Board felt it was timely to initiate discussion with current service providers and other experts regarding the sustainability and effectiveness of the current
project. The outcomes of that discussion were that:
There is no doubt young people have benefited from the opportunity provided by the project
There is strong support for ALSO’s role in advocating for improved recognition and response to the needs of SSAY youth;
There is a willingness on the part of the housing sector to support SSAY through the project
The current model, and particularly the property presented some limitations to achieving identified objectives.

On the basis of which the ALSO Board in consultation with FAN decided to further develop the model in the context of broader housing policy relating to homelessness and youth and to:
Further integrate the project into the existing service system to ensure the availability of referral pathways allow for optimum support;
Continue to ensure the provision SSAY access to GLBTIQ community engagement opportunities;
Aim to secure support to assist with issues of financial sustainability; and cost effectiveness;
particularly to pursue and secure public support for the project,

The outcome of which is that the project will operate from multiple sites and with a broader range
of housing options for young people within the project.

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