THE state’s first dedicated ‘housing first for youth’ (HF4Y) accommodation facility officially opened in Midland on Tuesday, adding 30 new units for young people in need.
The new facility has 10 ground-floor units for young people aged 15 to 25 requiring high-level supervision and support.
There are also 20 units across the second and third floors for young people aged 15 to 25 requiring low-to-moderate level supervision.
According to Indigo Junction, the name Yaakiny (pronounced yaarh-kin), is a Noongar word meaning ‘stand tall’.
It was chosen by Indigo Junction’s cultural committee to reflect the strength and resilience the space seeks to nurture in young people who live there.
Indigo Junction chief executive officer Sharon Gough said Yaakiny’s opening was a significant milestone for the organisation and young people experiencing homelessness in the area.
“The ‘housing first for youth’ service model is an international evidence-based model that has achieved outstanding outcomes and will be the first of its kind in Western Australia,” she said.
HF4Y is based on the principle that young people do not need to demonstrate readiness before accessing housing.
The approach operates from an understanding that stable housing provides a foundation from which young people can address other challenges and work towards their own goals with the support they choose.
Yaakiny aims to provide young people living there 24/7 care and support, alongside programs and activities designed to build tenancy management, independent living and life skills.
The support services also aim to provide education, training and employment opportunities, cultural supports, specialist health services and community and recreation activities.
Experienced support workers will help young people access a range of therapeutic and specialist services, including counselling, legal assistance, alcohol and other drug support, financial assistance and longer-term housing.
As reported in Youth crisis transitional housing boost the new building’s journey started in 2023 when Indigo Junction secured $5.67m under the state government’s social housing economic recovery package.
The purpose of the injection was to construct a new youth crisis and transitional accommodation service.
In 2024, Indigo Junction received $5m to fully refurbish the existing six-bed youth house which now connects to the new landmark building, as reported in Indigo Junction receives $5m grant for two major projects.
At the time, Indigo Junction was calling for a further $4m of funding to begin construction of the Yaakiny building.
