Youth Housing Initiative (YHI)
Providing stability. Creating futures. Ending homelessness.
MCM’s Youth Housing Initiative (YHI) is transforming the lives of young people aged 18-24 who have experienced homelessness. By providing stable housing and wraparound support, YHI helps participants build independence, reconnect with education and employment, and break the cycle of homelessness for good.
How YHI works
Young people in the program receive up to four years of supported independent living, ensuring they have the time and resources to transition successfully into adulthood.
Through YHI, participants have access to:
ü Safe and stable housing across Werribee, Point Cook, and Footscray
ü Therapeutic services to support mental health and healing
ü Personal development coaching to build life skills and confidence
ü Education and employment pathways for long-term success
YHI aims to establish 56 tenancies across three housing models—congregate, core and cluster, and shared housing—YHI provides much-needed security and a foundation for change.
Impact at a glance
Thanks to your donations, YHI has made incredible strides in supporting young people toward a brighter future. Key impacts include:
Education & Employment
By collaborating with Youth Projects, we’ve increased participants' access to education and employment. Currently, 79% with identified needs are actively pursuing job placements or qualifications - promoting financial independence and reintegration into society.
Skills Development
From budgeting to grocery shopping and cooking, participants are building the skills they need for long-term independence, allowing them to manage their daily lives with confidence.
Physical & Mental Health
YHI connect participants with allied health services, ensuring they receive the vital medical and mental health care they need.
Safety & Legal Support
Most participants now have comprehensive safety plans, ensuring they know how to seek help in times of crisis. Legal challenges are addressed through partnerships with community legal services, offering free legal advice to resolve outstanding issues.
Together, we’re changing lives by providing more than just housing, YHI empowers young people to thrive—giving them the support, skills, and stability they need to build a better future.
Find out more about the Youth Housing Initiative.
Lived experiences of the
Young People We Support
Meet Sarah
At just 20, Sarah’s life had already been marked by more hardship than most people experience in a lifetime. She had known a “good life” once, but it had been shattered by family violence, assault, and drug use.
Meet Sienna
"When I came to Frontyard, I wasn’t expecting much, just a place to sleep and perhaps some food. But the staff gave me so much more. They showed me a way out. For the first time, I think my life can be different and, maybe, I can be happy." – Sienna, aged 16
Meet Amber
Amber, a devoted mother, made the courageous choice to leave her violent partner to protect her five-year-old daughter, Maisie. With nowhere safe to go, Amber and Maisie began living in their car.
