The quiet youth housing revolution taking shape across Victoria
- deansimpson7
- 13 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Across Victoria, a quiet revolution is taking shape – sparking hope, shaping futures and opening doors for today’s young people. Exciting new Salvation Army youth housing projects are emerging across the state, bringing a fresh surge of optimism and encouragement to those in the youth homelessness system. The latest innovative development, Cricklewood, recently opened in Melbourne’s Peninsula region. Robert Forbes, Regional Manager of Youth Services in the South East, unveiled its many unique features to Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH.
Q: Robert, what inspired the creation of the Cricklewood Youth Housing project, and what specific need is it aiming to address?
A: The Education Pathway Housing model was developed by The Salvation Army Youth Services in direct response to two clear gaps in the youth homelessness system.
Firstly, there are very limited viable exit options for young people leaving crisis and emergency accommodation.
Secondly, young people who are ‘education/employment ready’ but have additional or more complex support needs are often not accepted into traditional ‘Education First’ models such as Youth Foyers. This leaves them stuck in the homelessness system for long periods in temporary accommodation, further disrupting their development, stability and transition into adulthood.
In the Peninsula region, these challenges are intensified.
Youth homelessness rates are critically high, with around 220 young people needing safe accommodation on any given night and 390 young people aged 15 to 25 requesting crisis housing since COVID. Many must leave their community to find somewhere to stay, which disconnects them from school, employment and support networks.
Education Pathway Housing provides a local, realistic alternative. It offers medium to long-term supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk, who are committed to education, training or employment and who require more intensive, therapeutic support than many ‘education first’ programs can provide.
The model is based on an existing Education Pathway program operating since 2016 in metropolitan Melbourne, which has delivered strong outcomes in housing, education and employment and prevented young people becoming entrenched in the homelessness system.
Cricklewood extends this proven model into the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region, adding much-needed youth-specific housing to complement existing services such as T21 (a similar supported accommodation service in Frankston).
Who funded the project and how long did it take to develop it?
The Cricklewood Education Pathway Housing project has been made possible through State funding from the Homes Victoria Capital Grants Program, a generous financial contribution from the Property Industry Foundation, and a partnership between The Salvation Army Housing Victoria (SAHV), Youth Services and Property, who planned, coordinated and delivered the development on Army-owned land.
Within The Salvation Army, the project went through the standard property development pathway. This included due diligence to confirm its missional purpose and financial viability, approval by the relevant delegated body, and appointment of a Development Manager in the Property, Strategy and Development team.
A Project Control Group, supported by architects, engineers, project managers and quantity surveyors and Youth Services Social Mission, oversaw design and delivery throughout the build. Planning started about two years before the official opening on October 31.
Exterior and interior shots of the completed Cricklewood project.
How was the location and design of the housing chosen to best support young people?
The Salvation Army-owned site in Frankston is within a residential area that is well connected to public transport, education providers and community services. Its location allows young people to remain close to their schools, training organisations, employment opportunities and support networks, rather than relocating out of area to access housing.
This local context was important.
Cricklewood is intentionally placed within the community it serves, so that young people can continue their education and maintain positive links with family, friends and the broader support system around them.
The former single-storey brick dwelling has been replaced with four two-storey townhouses arranged around a central communal hub. The design incorporates cluster-style supported accommodation that balances connection and privacy, with shared communal spaces including a half basketball court, vegetable gardens and landscaped areas.
Therapeutic, psychologically informed design elements, such as natural light, social spaces, and activity areas, are built in, while the design respects local neighbourhood character and planning requirements.
And how many residences form part of the project?
The Cricklewood development features four new houses built around a central communal hub: two two-bedroom townhouses and two three-bedroom townhouses.
All 10 bedrooms include private ensuite bathrooms, with one designated as a respite room providing short stays of up to two weeks for young people aged 12 and over when operational.
This component will allow Salvos Youth Services to provide a safe, immediate circuit-breaker during periods of family conflict or stress, stabilising young people before entering the homelessness system, working in a focused way with families, including parents and caregivers, to rebuild safety and strengthen relationships, and prevent homelessness through early meaningful intervention.
The development also includes a fully compliant DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) unit and accessible facilities, ensuring young people with disabilities can safely and comfortably participate in the program.
The combination of private spaces, supportive communal areas and purpose-built therapeutic design helps create a stable environment where young people can focus on education, wellbeing and their future goals.
Did you face challenges in bringing this project to life, and how were they overcome?
Yes. Cricklewood was delivered during a period marked by rising construction costs and sector-wide financial pressures.
The project received capital funding from Homes Victoria and philanthropic support from the Property Industry Foundation to partly cover the construction costs. In addition, no operational funding was provided, meaning the program must initially rely on existing Salvos Youth Services staff from other case management programs to begin operations. Dedicated staffing for the site, including the 24-hour respite support, is still unfunded.
Additional operational funding is actively being sought to fully activate all program elements and ensure sustainable service delivery.
Despite these challenges, the project progressed thanks to a structured governance framework, a dedicated Development Manager, a multidisciplinary Project Control Group, and close collaboration with Homes Victoria and the Property Industry Foundation.
What makes this project different from other housing initiatives for youth in the area?
Cricklewood stands apart for several reasons.
Firstly, it is an adapted Education First model for young people with higher support needs. While similar to Youth Foyers in its focus on education and training, Cricklewood is specifically designed for young people who are study or work-ready but have additional support needs, including mental health challenges. These young people are often unable to access traditional ‘education first’ programs.
The project is also co-designed and will be co-delivered with young people.
Those with lived experience contributed to the model’s design and will continue to shape its delivery. They will play a role in co-delivering life-skills sessions and community participation activities, strengthening peer engagement and building their own skills and confidence.
Cricklewood also features therapeutic and community-oriented living. The cluster design, central communal space, gardens and recreational areas are intentional. They build community, connection and belonging and support emotional and social wellbeing. Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC) principles sit at the heart of the design.
Tenants contribute a percentage of their income. This helps young people develop rental capacity while still receiving support.
The Cricklewood program also brings the proven Education Pathway model to the Peninsula region, where demand for youth housing is high and youth-specific supported accommodation options are limited.
(Clockwise from top left) Kai Blamey entertained guests over lunch with his guitar performance; Hope Melo was among a group of young people who took part in the opening of the youth housing project; Alanna Wallace was one of the guest speakers at the event; Taliah Cameron also spoke at the event.
Were young people involved in the planning or design of the project?
Yes. Young people were central to the model’s design and ongoing refinement.
They were involved through focus groups and workshops, ongoing feedback and consultation, and co-delivery of elements of the program, including life and living skills activities. This ensures the service remains relevant and responsive to the real experiences of young people using the homelessness system.
At the official opening event, three former residents of T21 spoke about the impact of TSA’s youth programs.
Their comments included: “It was the first time I had a space that truly felt like home, a place free from violence, free from chaos, and full of possibility.”
“At T21, we learned how to cook, budget and build positive relationships. It created a sense of safety and trust.”
“Looking back, my time in the program was one of growth, healing and life lessons.”
These reflections demonstrate the importance and value of youth-informed design.
Will support services be offered to the young people?
Yes, Cricklewood will be a support-rich environment, not just accommodation. Salvos Youth Services delivers tailored support through their national Model of Care, Journey to Independence.
Residents will be supported by a case manager, Living and Lifeskills worker, a Youth Participation worker, and Salvos corps and ministry and mission staff.
Support is offered on many fronts, including safe, stable shared accommodation; financial assistance for study-related expenses; structured case plans focused on life skills, wellbeing and personal growth, legal and advocacy services; family reunification where appropriate; and access to Salvos programs, including Salvos Tools for the Trade and Drive for Life, plus partnerships with services such as Headspace.
Support is tailored to each young person, including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ young people, and young people living with disability, with culturally safe and inclusive practice, and specialist partnerships where needed.
Young people can stay up to two years at Cricklewood, with most expected to stay 12 to 18 months. Step-down and aftercare support continues beyond their exit to ensure sustained success as they move to private rental, share accommodation, or return to family (where applicable).
Looking ahead, how do you envision this project impacting the lives of young people?
Cricklewood is expected to deliver outcomes already achieved by the Education Pathway model elsewhere in Melbourne.
For young people, this includes reduced reliance on crisis and emergency accommodation, increased safety, stability and confidence, completion of secondary and tertiary education, progression into employment, improved mental health, stronger independent living capabilities and life skills, improved family and peer relationships, pathways into private rental or safe family reunification, and long-term financial stability.
As demonstrated at the opening event, which brought together Homes Victoria, the Property Industry Foundation, Salvation Army leadership, Victoria Police and young people whose experiences shape this work, Cricklewood represents more than new housing.
It reflects collaboration, opportunity and a commitment to giving young people a safe, supported environment where they can continue their education and build the foundations for independence.
For more information on the project, click here
