Safe Haven For At Risk Youth Unveiled in Kingaroy

The Property Industry Foundation and South Burnett CTC (CTC) were thrilled to officially open Haven House Kingaroy, a milestone housing project designed to address the housing crisis for at-risk youth in the South Burnett region.

Following construction which commenced in May of 2024, the newly completed 4-bedroom duplex will be a safe haven for young people experiencing housing instability or facing the risk of homelessness and unsafe living arrangements.

Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills said Haven House Kingaroy marked an important step forward for at-risk young people in the region.

“Haven House Kingaroy will bring a tangible, positive change to young people in Kingaroy who would otherwise be facing serious and daunting prospects,” Ms Mills said.

“Our hope is Haven House Kingaroy will help to support young people as they search for permanent and safe housing solutions and explore pathways to pursuing security, education, employment and most importantly, their mental health and wellbeing.”

South Burnett CTC CEO Jason Erbacher said the duplex would make a significant difference in the lives of many of the at-risk group that the CTC aids.

“The opening of Haven House Kingaroy means that we now have over 200% more capacity to provide safe transitional housing in Kingaroy. In tandem with CTC’s Malcolm’s Youth Hostel, we can now provide more life-changing assistance to young people who need it most,” Mr Erbacher said.

“The partnership between ourselves and the Property Industry Foundation has brought about a rarely seen chance for those of us who are passionate about uplifting homeless and at-risk youth to have real impact on the issue.

“We would again like to sincerely thank our construction partner at Homezone Projects and the many people who have taken part in fundraising initiatives for this development.”

Haven House Kingaroy will be operated by South Burnett CTC’s Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) and will ultimately provide a safe haven for an estimated 8 at-risk young people in the South Burnett each year.

In addition to transitional housing, the SHS provides one-on-one support and case management to young people, with the goal of empowering them to learn important life skills and make informed decisions about their futures.

ABOUT South Burnett CTC

South Burnett CTC – Contributing to Community (CTC), exists to support and provide services that allow those most vulnerable and disadvantaged in the South Burnett community to have the opportunity to live their life to its fullest.  Working for the South Burnett since 1983, CTC has adapted over time to meet the needs of the community and offers a broad range of services including homelessness support services, disability services, foster care support services, residential services, youth and family services, domestic and family violence services and much more.

ABOUT Property Industry Foundation

The Property Industry Foundation believes that every young Australian deserves a safe, secure home environment – which provides a foundation of opportunity from which they can determine their future. The Foundation leads & coordinate the efforts of their industry, along with their charity partners, to create these environments. They bring together the property and construction industry to build homes for homeless youth through a cost-efficient model. The Foundation fundraises to build each home with each $1 raised, being matched through in-kind donations of skills, labour and goods by the property and construction industry. Doubling the value of every $1 donated.

The Foundation has been building and refurbishing homes for homeless young people since 1996 and aims to build 300 bedrooms for homeless youth by 2025.