An Evaluation of theLighthouse

Youth Housing Program

Prepared by

Rob Powell, Project Manager Donna Easthorpe, Research Assistant

Megan Powell, Intern

Introduction and Background

• About the Lighthouse Youth Initiative

• Foyer Model

• Homelessness & Unemployment in the Illawarra

Unemployment

Sep-08

Nov-08Jan

-09

Mar-09

May-09

Jul-09

Sep-09

Nov-09Jan

-10

Mar-10

May-10

Jul-10

Sep-10

Nov-10Jan

-11

Mar-11

May-11

Jul-11

Sep-11

Nov-11Jan

-12

Mar-12

May-12

Jul-12

Sep-12

Nov-12Jan

-13

Mar-13

0.00%

1.00%

2.00%

3.00%

4.00%

5.00%

6.00%

7.00%

8.00%

9.00%

IllawarraNSWAustralia

(source: Australian Government Department of Employment – Labour Market Information Portal 2014)

Homelessness

2001 2006 20110

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Southern HighlandsShoalhavenWollongongKiama-Shellharbour

Improvised dwelling

SAAP

Friends

Boarding house

Other

Severely Crowded

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0%

6.8%

17.4%

17.5%

23.0%

0.8%

34.1%

9.0%

34.6%

28.2%

12.5%

1.3%

14.4%

7.2%

16.4%

21.4%

25.3%

0.6%

26.6%

3.9%

34.8%

29.4%

20.3%

0.6%

11.1%

Types of Homelessness

2006 Illawarra2006 NSW2011 Illawarra2011 NSW

(source: ABS census data 2001, 2006, 2011)

Accommodation

Dapto Kiama Wollongong Southern Highlands Shoalhaven0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Average Weekly Rent - 1 Bedroom

200920102011201220132014

Results by Household Type

No. and % affordable & appropriate (30% income)

No. and % appropriate (at 30% - 45% income)

No. and % affordable & appropriate (30% income)

No. and % appropriate (at 30% - 45% income)

No. and % affordable & appropriate (30% income)

No. and % affordable & appropriate (30-45% income)

No. and % affordable & appropriate (30% income)

2011

Single (Newstart Allowance)

None (0%) 4 (less than 1%) None (0%) 6 (less than 1%) None (0%) 2 (less than 1%) None

Single, 18+ years (Youth Allowance)

None (0%) None (0%) None (0%) None (0%) None (0%) None (0%) None

April 13-14, 2013 (total 1,215 properties)

April 5-6, 2014 (total 1,037 properties)

2012 (total 1,063 properties

Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshots for the Illawarra Region, 2011-2014

(source: Family & Community Services – Rents, Metropolitan Postcodes, sorted by Statistical Area Level 3 and Rents, Rural Local Government Areas, sorted by Statistical Area Level 3)

Program and Services

• Aims and Mission

1. For residents to develop strong, positive community connections

2. To be involved in work and/or further education3. For residents to transition into long-term,

independent accommodation

Program and Services

• Personal Fitness• Mental Health• Counselling / Life Coaching• Volunteer Work & Community Involvement• Life Skills Development• Study & Work Experience• Follow-up

Client Evaluation

Client Interviews

Staff Evaluation

Future Directions

• Loss of Government Funding (2014)

• Planned Expansion to 28 beds

• Funding via Community and Church partnerships

Conclusions