Homelessness Week raises awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face and the actions needed to achieve long-term solutions. Homelessness Week events are held across Australia each year in the first week of August. The national Homelessness Week theme for 2025 was ”Homelessness Act Now”. The theme highlights the need for action to end homelessness.

To celebrate Homelessness Week this year YFCC held an event at the new Youth2Independence (Y2I) facility in Mooreville Road, Burnie. Former Housing Minister, Felix Ellis MP, YFCC President, Sarah Steel, and YFCC CEO, Ros Atkinson, revealed the official name of the centre as ‘Wurayni”

Wurayni means “Wattle Seed Pod” in palawa kani, the language of the Tasmanian Aboriginals.

Y2I is a unique Tasmanian program based on the internationally recognised Education First Youth Foyer model. It offers up to two years of supported accommodation for young people, aged 16 to 24 years, who are motivated to engage in education, training or employment.

The model is designed to address the root causes of youth homelessness by creating stability, opportunity, and a pathway to sustainable independence.

YFCC has been contracted by Homes Tasmania to operate the Y2I and provide support services for its student residents, and we thank them for their confidence in our organisation. Homes Tasmania CEO, Eleri Morgan-Thomas attended the event and was warmly welcomed by YFCC president Sarah Steel. The organisation has had an excellent relationship with the department for many decades and we look forward to furthering that relationship through this Y2I.

In a Homes Tasmania media release re the event, Ms Morgan-Thomas said that Homes Tasmania was committed to providing young people facing major challenges with supported accommodation options with proven results.

“We know that young people can be particularly vulnerable to homelessness as they move towards adulthood, and some young people have it much harder than others,” Ms Morgan-Thomas said.

“Evidence shows that young people facing homelessness can change their lives if they have accommodation, support and access to education and employment,” Ms Morgan-Thomas said.

“Homes Tasmania has continued to expand the Y2I program with the fifth facility for the state now opening in Burnie, because it is based on the successful international Education First Youth Foyer program, and we know it works for young people.”

Ms Morgan-Thomas said that the official opening of the new facility during Homelessness Week was particularly meaningful.

“I am delighted that up to 26 young people on the Coast will now have a place to call home with today’s official opening of Homes Tasmania’s Y2I facility in Burnie,” Ms Morgan-Thomas said.

“Ros and the YFCC team provide a range of services to young people, families and individuals across the North-West and West coasts and are well-placed to deliver this important addition to the services available for the community,” Ms Morgan-Thomas said.

The Burnie Y2I joins four other Y2I facilities that are already successfully providing services to young Tasmanians: Thyne House in Launceston; Eveline House in Devonport; and Trinity Hill and Campbell Street in Hobart.

The Burnie Y2I facility was designed by JAWS architects and built by local contractor, Stubbs Construction.

Around 75 YFCC partners and key stakeholders attended the event, with tours being organised of the facility, hosted by several YFCC staff.

Guest speakers included Minister Felix Ellis, Pattie Chugg (CEO of Shelter Tas), Teeny Brumby (Mayor of Burnie) and Professor Catherine Robinson of UTAS.

(left to right) YFCC President, Sarah Steel, Shelter Tasmania CEO Pattie Chugg, YFCC CEO Ros Atkinson, Hon. Felix Ellis MP and Professor Catherine Robinson.