November 2002

New home for young people

The Cheltenham community has banded together with the Office of Housing to provide help for young people at risk of homelessness.

The Pines Lighthouse, on Friendship Square in Cheltenham, is one of a network of facilities for young people established throughout Victoria by the Lighthouse Foundation.

The facility provides kitchens and living areas as well as long-term accommodation for six people aged between 15 and 22 and two staff.

The Anglican Sisters of the Community of the Holy Name donated the building rent-free.

The local Catholic and Anglican parishes have also been generous contributors.

The community support organisation Kids Under Cover will also supply two two-bedroom bungalows for the rear of the premises.

The Office of Housing has contributed $60,000 to help with the additional accommodation.

Financial and practical support for the project has come from the Rotary Club of Bentleigh/Moorabbin, the City of Kingston and many other local community members.

The Lighthouse Foundation has provided long-term housing for young people at risk of homelessness since the early 1990s and has houses in Richmond, Geelong, Keysborough, Malvern, Bendigo and Ballarat.

Additional funding through the Office of Housing and the community will enable houses to be opened in other centres such as Springvale and Geelong.