Safe and stable housing “a joy”

Sienna* has recently moved into Eveline House in Devonport, which is managed by Anglicare as part of the Youth2Independence program (Y2I). She shares her story in the lead-up to Youth Homelessness Matters Day, on 16 April.

The Y2I program offers housing and wrap-around supports for young people aged 16-24 who may be experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. It’s an experience Sienna is only too familiar with.

“Sadly, my experience of youth homelessness started when I was just 12 years old,” she says. “I have been thrown into various, dangerous situations that have left me without stable housing.

“I was forced to suddenly leave where I was living earlier this year. I contacted the local shelters but they were already overcrowded. I was faced with the hard truth – I had nowhere to go.

“I’d been in similar situations before, so I knew to visit Anglicare and talk with them about my circumstances.

“While in an appointment at Housing Connect, my friendly Connection Coach gave me the opportunity to apply for Eveline House. After confirming that Eveline was the best choice for me, I completed the application form. Not two hours after submitting the application, I was contacted by Eveline staff and was invited to visit. After completing the necessary steps, I was offered a unit at Eveline and moved into my own place for the first time.

“I have now been living at Eveline for about a month and a half and have found the joy of having safe, stable housing. I have started to enjoy going to the on-site gym each night. As a person who suffers from social anxiety I don’t feel capable of working out in a regular gym.

“I am currently not working but with the support of the Eveline staff and TasTAFE teacher Karyn, I will be starting a course soon that will lead to meaningful employment that I am passionate about.

“The staff at Eveline run sessions in important living skills such as budgeting our money and general house chores including laundry. Having the opportunity to attend these sessions helps with learning independent living skills that are vital for living a healthy productive life.

“Youth Homelessness Matters Day is important to me.  I want to spread awareness about the seriousness of this issue and the negative effects it has on the young people experiencing it. I now have to live with trauma caused by homelessness and the situations I was put into while living on the streets.

“Giving back to my local community is something I am passionate about.

Throughout my teen years I have accessed many charities and community-based organisations that have supported me with food and clothing when I could not afford these basics.

I would love to one day help people like I have been helped. One of my aspirations is to be able to make a change in young people’s lives.

From surviving to thriving

Christian Benton is one of Anglicare’s team of Youth Development Coaches who support the young people living at Eveline House.

“We use an Advantaged Thinking approach that builds on each person’s strengths and capabilities,” he explained. “We encourage our students to identify their talents. Working in partnership with TasTAFE, local employers and community organisations, we support them to become independent and successful adults.

Every young person deserves a place to call home. In the safety of stability they find the ability to move from surviving to thriving into a brighter future.

The Eveline team has arranged a creative arts and drawing station, games and outdoor activities, and information and food-sharing sessions to mark Youth Homelessness Matters Day.

Do you or someone you know need housing support?

Youth2Independence is supported by Homes Tasmania.

Anglicare manages four Youth2Independence (Y2I) facilities: Trinity Hill and Campbell Street in Hobart, Thyne House in Launceston and Eveline House in Devonport.

Anglicare’s Y2I facilities were accredited with the Foyer Foundation in 2023. There are six ‘service offers’ that students choose to commit to: education, employment, health and wellbeing, housing and living skills, community participation, and social connections.

If you are the parent, teacher, friend or employer of a young person facing homelessness, the Youth2Independence program may be a good fit for them.  Check this link to check eligibility requirements and then contact Housing Connect to discuss an application.

Tasmanians of all ages who require housing support should in the first instance contact Housing Connect on 1800 800 588.  Find out more about the Housing Connect Front Door service here.

*Sienna is not her real name. We have changed it to protect her privacy.

PIC: Sienna checks out promotional material for Youth Homelessness Matters Day at Eveline House.