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Frank Developments
The Salvation Army Youth Services QLD
Haven House Woolloongabba is a partnership between the Property Industry Foundation and The Salvation Army Youth Services QLD — transforming a long-held Brisbane property into a safe, supported home for vulnerable young people.
This vital renovation will create six self-contained one-bedroom apartments and a shared Youth Hub, providing safe, stable, and supported transitional housing for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“Joii wanted to be part of the Woolloongabba project because we believe strongly in using our building capability to create meaningful social impact. Our vision is to create a high-quality, welcoming, and sustainable community space that gives young people the best possible chance to thrive.”
Greg Voukelatos, Joii.
“The scope of works and the vision of what we will create through our partnership with the Foundation is so exciting for our youth housing model for the future and certainly beyond the capacity of what we could have achieved without their expertise, connections and shared commitment to youth housing.”
Rob Ellis, The Salvation Army
The Property Industry Foundation is proud to announce its latest project – Haven House Woolloongabba – a partnership with The Salvation Army Youth Services QLD. Demo has begun on the project to transform a long-held Brisbane property into a safe, supported home for vulnerable or homeless young women aged 18-22 years.
“The Salvation Army have operated a youth housing model here in East Brisbane for over 30 years and unfortunately over this time the physical spaces have become tired and rundown and no longer fit for purpose for the type of accommodation we wish to provide young people,” says Rob Ellis, State Manager Youth Services Queensland. “The scope of works and the vision of what we will create through our partnership with the Foundation is so exciting for our youth housing model for the future and certainly beyond the capacity of what we could have achieved without their expertise, connections and shared commitment to youth housing.”
Haven House Woolloongabba will host a specialised Education Pathway Housing Program, designed to break the cycle of youth homelessness. “The program provides a safe, supportive accommodation option whilst facilitating active engagement and participation in education and training until successful completion,” Rob explains. “All participants are provided with living skills to successfully transition into and maintain independent housing within the community.”
The Haven House Woolloongabba project is designed not only to meet a young person’s immediate needs, but also their long-term future – giving at-risk youth a foundation to rebuild their lives with stability, dignity and opportunity. “This model is important because housing alone is not enough,” says Construction Manager Greg Voukelatos who is steering the project for Building Partner Joii.
“Young people experiencing homelessness often face complex challenges, from family breakdown to mental health concerns, financial instability, or lack of support networks. By pairing safe accommodation with a dedicated Youth Hub offering wraparound support, the project addresses both immediate needs and long-term pathways. It empowers young people to stabilise, rebuild confidence, gain life skills, and progress toward independence. This combination of housing and holistic support is what truly breaks the cycle of homelessness.”
Haven House Woolloongabba was co-designed by young people with a lived experience of homelessness and will feature 6 x 1-bedroom apartments, alongside new kitchens and bathrooms, painting, new flooring and a communal Youth Hub. Residents will have access to therapeutic case management, education, training and employment pathways, living skills development, community integration, and aftercare transition.
“The architecture and interiors of the properties are thoughtfully designed and organised to ensure trauma and psychologically informed spaces that foster health and wellbeing,” says Rob. “These design features include easy access to natural light and air quality, an abundance of plant life and an edible garden, opportunities for onsite exercise and physical activity, and communal spaces designed to enhance social connectedness among residents and Youth Services support staff such as a BBQ area.”
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Haven House Woolloongabba will bring a tangible, positive change to young people who would otherwise be facing serious and daunting prospects.
Antoinette Rusby-Perera
QLD State Manager, Property Industry Foundation.
The build is made possible through industry collaboration and many of the Foundation’s valued partners are on board for the overhaul. “We see this project as a model for what can be achieved when industry, community organisations, and supporters work together with a shared purpose,” says Greg. “Projects like this are only possible through genuine collaboration – pooling expertise, resources, and passion. When builders, consultants, suppliers, and partners work collectively, we can deliver outcomes far greater than any one organisation could achieve alone. Joii’s role is to bring construction knowledge, coordination, and a commitment to social impact, but it is the combined effort of the entire industry and community that turns a vision like this into a reality.”
The build is made possible through industry collaboration and many of the Foundation’s valued partners are on board for the overhaul. “We see this project as a model for what can be achieved when industry, community organisations, and supporters work together with a shared purpose,” says Greg. “Projects like this are only possible through genuine collaboration – pooling expertise, resources, and passion. When builders, consultants, suppliers, and partners work collectively, we can deliver outcomes far greater than any one organisation could achieve alone. Joii’s role is to bring construction knowledge, coordination, and a commitment to social impact, but it is the combined effort of the entire industry and community that turns a vision like this into a reality.”
Haven House Woolloongabba is a trusted partnership between the Property Industry Foundation and The Salvation Army Youth Services QLD, offering safe, supported housing for vulnerable young people to build a path out of homelessness towards housing stability, education and employment.
This exciting new project will overhaul a tired, existing site into 6 x modern self-contained 1-bed apartments and a shared Youth Hub. The thoughtfully planned and designed youth housing model will be operated by The Salvation Army’s expert support teams.
“Progress is coming along nicely, thanks to our incredible project team who are committed to completing the project by Easter,” says Antoinette Rusby-Perera, QLD State Manager, Property Industry Foundation. “Six young women will be moving into renewed safe havens with wrap around services to ensure they thrive and rebuild their lives with stability, dignity, and opportunity.”
The project demonstrates that by building secure homes for at-risk youth, we also build hope and a brighter future. Haven House Woolloongabba was co-designed by young people with a lived experience of homelessness, who brought their perspective to the design of the apartments.
The extensive renovation of the apartments will include a communal Youth Hub where residents can access therapeutic case management, education, training and employment pathways, living skills development, community integration, and aftercare transition.
“The program provides a safe, supportive accommodation option while facilitating active engagement and participation in education and training until successful completion,” says Rob Ellis, State Manager Youth Services Queensland. “All participants are provided with living skills to successfully transition into and maintain independent housing within the community.”
We are grateful to our generous and committed industry suppliers and supporters who are bringing Haven House Woolloongabba back to life for a new generation of vulnerable young people to reach their full potential.
With thanks:
ALD Corp
Ashburner Francis
Dulux
Frank Developments
Hazclear Environmental
Inertia
Joii
Keim
King Living
Koala
Metz
Mapei
Milliken
Roof Technology
Steibel
SupplyHaus
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