The Property Industry Foundation has held a series of Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) Breakfast Forums in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, with industry supporters joining us before the start of their workday to be part of the conversation and the solution for youth homelessness.
NSW – Lendlease
On Monday 24 March, Foundation supporters in NSW joined an exclusive breakfast forum hosted by Lendlease at their office space in Sydney’s waterside precinct Barangaroo. Guests heard from speakers across the not-for-profit, private, and public sectors on the housing crisis and its impact on young people, prevention and intervention action planning, innovative housing solutions and youth-focused design principles. Speakers included Yfoundations CEO John MacMillan, Stepping Stone House CEO Jason Juretic, and Advocate for Children and Young People Zoe Robinson, alongside respected leaders in the property and construction industry.
“With over 43,000 young people not having a safe place to sleep, each of us has a part to play in the solution to youth homelessness in Australia,” says Property Industry Foundation NSW State Manager Penny Kaleta. “This important event was a chance to unite the NFP, private, and public sectors to tackle youth homelessness. Ending youth homelessness is a shared responsibility, and collaboration is the key to real change. Bringing together diverse perspectives is a game-changer in driving solutions that make a lasting impact.”
A huge thank you to our Forum Partners Lendlease and Yfoundations, General Manager, Social Impact, Lendlease Jessie Lenson and our incredible speakers for sharing their insights and expertise.
QLD – KPMG Australia
On Thursday 27 March, Queensland hosted their YHMD Breakfast Forum to raise awareness and promote advocacy for youth homelessness. Guests heard from a range of speakers on the shortage of affordable housing, increased demand for services, and housing and design innovations. Presenters included Queensland Government Architect Leah Lang, CEO of Brisbane Youth Service Pam Barker, Tom Allsop, PeakCare Queensland and Jackson Hills, Acting CEO, Q Shelter. These experienced presenters shared insights, challenges, and potential solutions to the pressing issue of youth homelessness.
“The only way to solve youth homelessness is through collaboration,” said the Foundation’s Queensland State Manager Antoinette Rusby-Perera. “The Brisbane YHMD Breakfast Forum gave different sectors with the same mission, the opportunity to connect and tackle the crisis together. By fostering a collaborative environment which prioritises prevention, support and long-term solutions, communities can make significant strides in ending youth homelessness.”
A huge thank you to Forum Partners QShelter and KPMG Australia.
VIC – MinterEllison
Speakers included Brenda Boland, CEO Lighthouse Foundation, Christine Campbell Graduate Patron Lighthouse Foundation, James Henry GM, Property Development Housing Choices Australia, John MacMillan CEO Yfoundations and Matt Cleary Regional Director Victoria Urbis, who acted as the session moderator on a lively and illuminating discussion of a range of issues facing vulnerable young people today, including the current housing and rental crisis.
“It was fantastic to see our community come together to mark Youth Homelessness Matters Day and discuss ways in which we can work together to find solutions to youth homelessness and work towards a future in which every young person has a safe home,” said Property Industry Foundation Victorian State Manager Priscilla Heathwood. “Thank you to our forum partners MinterEllison and Yfoundations and all our industry supporters in Victoria for their continued support.”
