Housing and communities

Access to affordable housing is fast becoming a critical issue for many Australians, and especially those living on low incomes. Housing that is affordable, safe, of good quality and with reasonable tenure is essential to support social and economic participation. 

Like housing, the places and communities where people live also influence their wellbeing and sense of belonging. Some communities are more disadvantaged than others, and differing access to resources and opportunities can fundamentally shape residents’ life chances.

We’re developing our work on affordable housing and communities, looking to understand and propose ways to address the impact of housing and community resources on people’s wellbeing at different stages of the life course. One of our major projects is the Education First Youth Foyer Evaluation.

We are conducting a longitudinal study of the Victorian Education First Youth Foyers, an innovative supported student accommodation program for young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The EFYF model has been developed by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Hanover Welfare Services (now Launch Housing), with funding from the Victorian Government.

Our comprehensive evaluation is assessing the EFYF model’s fit for purpose, value for money and effectiveness.