Brisbane Youth Service

Our CEO, Pam Barker GAICD, recently spoke with ABC’s Elizabeth Cramsie about the year-on-year increase in young people needing crisis accommodation and the barriers they face in accessing housing. With youth homelessness at crisis point, we have joined over 150 other organisations in supporting the national Home Time campaign, urging federal, state and territory governments to build 15,000 dedicated youth tenancies across Australia to help break the cycle. 🎧 Hear more from Pam and young people like 17-year-old Rosie, who shared how "[looking for housing] takes so much of a mental toll." 📲 Listen now at https://lnkd.in/gGp8evXx #EndYouthHomelessness #HousingCrisis #NewFutures

We’re excited to be the first in Queensland to launch Ruby’s, an early intervention program designed to keep families together and prevent children from entering the homelessness system. Funded by the Department of Child Safety, Ruby’s provides short-term stays for children aged 12-15 in a safe, home-like environment with 24/7 support. Through structured mediation, tailored support plans and time apart, the program acts as a circuit breaker for families in crisis, helping children and their families navigate conflict, strengthen relationships and build safer futures. The Ruby’s model has already proven successful in South Australia. In 2024, the program delivered over 5,500 hours of free mediation and family support, achieving remarkable outcomes: 💜 100% of young people remained in contact with their families 🏠 91% were able to safely return home (Source: ABC News) With homelessness at crisis point in Brisbane and too few beds available to meet the need, early intervention is more crucial than ever. Governments have a key role in funding programs that work, driving meaningful change and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

“He went to the Department of Housing with me to provide support and advocate for me. Eventually, after a lot of work, I got housing.”   The housing crisis isn’t just about a lack of homes – it’s about the barriers that make it even harder for young people to secure safe and stable housing. With limited access to funds, the lowest priority for accommodation available, and a huge shortfall in social housing, too many young people are left without options.    When young people come to us, we get to know their unique needs and explore every possible avenue of support. We do everything we can to connect them with resources, guide them through their options, and help them take the next step toward stability.   There’s no quick fix to the youth homelessness crisis, but we remain committed to standing with young people and creating pathways to new futures. #YouthHomelessnessMatters #NewFutures   *Names and images are changed to protect the identities of the young people we support.

There is a better way folks, then criminalising homelessness. Fines will do nothing but intrench issues which prevent people from acquiring and maintaining safe housing. #endyouthhomelessness #brisyouth https://lnkd.in/gYU9ns72

Right now, 1,000+ children, young people, families, and individuals are cycling in and out of motels or sleeping rough – while tents are being cleared from parks with no safe alternatives in place. Alongside our Brisbane Zero partners, we’ve signed a letter calling on the Premier to convene a South-East Queensland Crisis Summit on Homelessness. A coordinated, evidence-based approach is essential to stop the cycle of homelessness and move beyond temporary fixes. 🏠 We know that permanent supportive housing works. The evidence is clear, and we cannot wait for long-term housing plans to materialise while thousands remain in crisis. A summit is a crucial step toward impactful solutions tailored to the needs of young people and families needing housing. #BrisYouth #NewFutures #YouthHomelessnessMatters #EndYouthHomelessness #BrisbaneZero

No one should be left without a safe place to sleep. We need a coordinated response across all levels of government, including a dedicated allocation of housing for young people to provide safe, stable homes and the right support.    #BrisYouth #NewFutures #YouthHomelessnessMatters #EndYouthHomelessness

Brisbane Youth Service recently met with Sam O'Connor MP to discuss the critical need for funding in the homelessness sector, the intersection of domestic and family violence, and our vision for a future youth foyer in Brisbane. We also spoke about the importance of ensuring accessible healthcare for young people experiencing and at risk of homelessness. Congratulations to Sam O’Connor MP on his appointment as Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth. We look forward to working closely together.

We are deeply concerned by Brisbane Lord Mayor's decision to give people experiencing homelessness just 24 hours to leave the city’s parks, alongside inaccurate claims that most campers are homeless by choice, having refused offers of accommodation during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. 🗨️ In a statement, Pam Barker GAICD, CEO of Brisbane Youth Service, said: "Right now, we are seeing an unprecedented number of young people seeking housing support, and on many nights, all available beds are taken. Young people do not choose to sleep rough – homelessness is never a choice. Many are fleeing violence or facing complex challenges such as poor mental health, physical health issues and isolation, which can make it difficult to maintain temporary accommodation, like hotels or motels. As of yesterday, there were no available safe options in temporary accommodation for young people in Brisbane. This changes daily, with some securing shelter while others are left waiting. When safe options aren’t available, young people are forced to find the least dangerous alternative – grouping together in public spaces, staying awake all night to avoid harm, or couch surfing in unsafe environments that put them at high risk of exploitation and further trauma.   We have been clear: tents in public parks are not a safe solution for young people needing housing. But removing the only option some have, without providing an alternative, only puts them in greater danger. We continue to work tirelessly to create more options and are collaborating with government and other organisations to better coordinate support in Brisbane and South-East Queensland. Young people deserve a safe place to sleep. We need urgent investment in crisis and long-term housing to ensure no young person is forced to sleep rough."

This Queensland Women's Week, we stand with all women and girls to #MarchForward toward a gender-equal future where no one is left behind. Systemic inequality, rising violence against women, and economic hardship continue to hold young women back. Too many face impossible choices – between safety and shelter, between their health and daily survival. At Brisbane Youth Service, we see the resilience of young women every day. With safe housing, healthcare and tailored support, they can break the cycle of homelessness and violence, and build new futures with power, choice and opportunity. In light of Cyclone Alfred and the potential for event cancellations, we encourage everyone to stay safe and informed. Many events may be impacted, but the spirit of Queensland Women's Week continues, and we stand together in support of gender equality and economic security. 💪🌟 #QWW25 #WomeninQLD #IWD2025

We are so grateful to the Property Industry Foundation and the dedicated volunteers from Apollo Property Group for their generosity and hard work in transforming the backyard of our Safe Young Mums and Bubs home. Their time, effort and donations have created a welcoming outdoor space where young families can heal, connect and thrive. 🌱 Pam Barker GAICD, CEO of Brisbane Youth Service, joined us to recognise this incredible contribution:   "This space will be an important part of our Safe Young Mums and Bubs program, which provides young mothers and their babies with the stability and support they need to rebuild their lives after experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence," she said. "Through this program, we aim to strengthen the bond between mothers and their babies, equip young mums with the skills to live independently, and reduce the risk of child removal by ensuring they have the support they need to thrive. "Thanks to the Property Industry Foundation and Apollo Property, these young families now have a safe and nurturing outdoor space to grow together." 💜