Push on to get Wodonga and Wangaratta youth foyers funded

And GOTAFE, which partners in the highly successful youth foyer in Shepparton, wants an expansion into Wangaratta.

Wodonga TAFE boss Phil Paterson revealed in January that TAFE, Beyond Housing, Junction Support Services and Yes Unlimited had missed out on a $12 million funding application to state government, but would continue pursuing an Education First Youth Foyer.

A GOTAFE spokeswoman said the Education First Youth Foyer model in Shepparton had been hugely successful and a business plan for a Wangaratta EFYF was in the final stages.

"We're looking forward to engaging with community stakeholders and support services, as well as all levels of government to support this project," she said.

"We know Wangaratta has a very real need to help break the cycle of youth homelessness and disadvantage, and the Foyer model has proven to help make a difference in the lives of disengaged and at risk youth."

Northern Victoria MP Wendy Lovell wants funding for Education First Youth Foyers in Wangaratta and Wodonga in the upcoming state budget.

"When they were first set up when I was Housing Minister, an education partner was added to the youth foyer - that's why they're called Education First Youth Foyers," she said.

"At a conference in the UK a few years ago ... the Victorian model with an education component was talked about as being a leading model.

"We're outperforming the youth foyers that exist in the UK; they have 75 per cent of participants still engaged in work a year after leaving, and we're at 85 per cent."

Ms Lovell told The Border Mail of EFYF participants she'd met who went from couch-surfing to owning their first home and said the investment was worthwhile.

"Yes they're not cheap to run ... but what they do is save government money later on because you can change the direction of a young person's life," she said.

"This is a proven model that works and it needs to be funded."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Youth Foyers provide accommodation and wrap-around supports for young people who are at risk of homelessness and wanting to complete education or training.

In 2019, the Department of Education and Training expanded the eligibility of the Skills First Youth Access Initiative to include residents of all five EFYFs.

The 2021-22 state budget will be delivered on May 20.

"Proposals are considered as part of this annual budget cycle," a Department of Education spokesman said.