Youth Housing Initiative Services

Homelessness is usually a result of other forms of disadvantage building to a crisis; family violence, abuse and mental health are the major drivers into homelessness for young people.

A main priority for MCM is to prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place. To achieve this, we offer proactive services aimed at keeping young people within their family home (when possible), or in other stable accommodation.

What is YHI?

We believe every young person deserves a safe place to call home. Our goal is to end youth homelessness by using a housing-first approach combined with up to four years of intensive, strengths-based, and client-centered support - otherwise known as our Youth Housing Initiative (YHI).

Our integrated services help young people to:

• stabilise housing
• improve health and wellbeing
• build essential life skills
• access pathways to education and employment

Who We Support

YHI is designed for young people aged 18-22 who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. We assist individuals facing barriers such as:

• mental health challenges
• substance use
• family violence
• involvement in the justice system
• difficulties accessing education and employment services

Referrals can be made through MCM youth refuges and local housing access points as vacancies become available.

Housing Options

YHI offers three types of accommodation located in Werribee, Point Cook and Footscray. Each accommodation type provides different levels of support based on individual needs and progress toward independent living.

Core and Cluster
Self-contained 1-bedroom apartments with on-site and outreach support.
Location: Werribee

Small Congregate Accommodation 
Studio apartments with shared facilities, on-site staff support, and a focus on building social connections.
Location: Werribee

Shared Housing
Two-bedroom homes with outreach support for those moving toward independence.
Location: Footscray and Point Cook

MCM Housing

As Victoria’s only dedicated youth housing provider, MCM Housing offers social housing to low-income young people aged 18-24. With integrated tenancy management and services, YHI delivers consistent, coordinated support tailored to each young person’s unique needs. Learn more about MCM Housing here: www.mcmhousing.org.au/

Our Support Services

Our team works closely with each young person, offering tailored and holistic support.

Case Management Support

• Access housing stability
• Improve mental health and wellbeing
• Address substance use issues
• Strengthen community connections
• Build independent living skills
• Promote economic and social inclusion

Peer Support

YHI provides peer support from individuals with lived experience of homelessness. These peer workers offer holistic assistance focused on building relationships and independent living skills.

Therapeutic Support

Our in-house clinicians deliver specialised therapeutic support for young people who have experienced homelessness and mental health issues. This includes assessments, treatment plans, secondary consultations, and assistance with referrals to community-based mental health services.

Contact Us

For more information about the Youth Housing Initiative, please contact us at YHI@mcm.org.au.