Property Industry Foundation (PIF) - Kate Mills  CEO  

1 - The Property Industry Foundation has been tackling youth homelessness since 1996, with nearly three decades of experience partnering with established homelessness organisations. Why has PIF chosen to focus specifically on young people?  

The Property Industry Foundation was established around 30 years ago by a group of senior executives from the property industry who felt strongly that their sector had both the means and the responsibility to do something about youth homelessness. I think the catalyst was very personal and immediate. The owners and leaders of major city buildings would arrive at work each day and walk past young people sleeping rough right at their doorstep, and that daily reality simply demanded a response. 

Over the years, our approach has evolved considerably. In the early days, the focus was on fundraising events, such as the Sydney Charity Regatta, which brought the industry together to raise money for the cause, but a few years ago, we underwent a more deliberate shift in direction. We made the decision to concentrate on one clearly defined mission rather than spreading our efforts across many different initiatives, because I think focus is essential both for execution and for measuring real impact. 

The question our Chair put to the organisation was simple but powerful: what can we do that no one else can do? The answer was not just fundraising, it was development. The property industry's unique expertise lies in its ability to build, and so we chose to direct that expertise toward increasing the supply of accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness. 

With that clarity of purpose, we set ourselves a target of building 300 bedrooms across the eastern seaboard. I am really proud to say that target is on track to be reached later in 2026, at which point we will be setting ourselves a new and even more ambitious goal. 

2 - Property Industry Foundation has built a strong model engaging in the property sector to address youth homelessness. From a corporate social responsibility perspective, what role should the corporate sector play in responding to this crisis, and why is it important for them to get involved?  

 There is a growing understanding within the corporate sector that, firstly, organisations need a social licence to operate, and secondly, that people genuinely want to do the right thing. I always try to emphasise this, and I encourage my team to understand it too: there is no such thing as "corporate." There are people. People work within corporate environments, people make the decisions, and at the end of the day, those people want to contribute to something meaningful. We all benefit when they do. 

In terms of why the corporate sector should get involved in addressing youth homelessness specifically, I think it helps to understand our niche. The Property Industry Foundation approaches this through the lens of the property and construction industry, where the connection to homelessness is obvious. People who build and own the places where we all live and work have a direct and visible relationship with this issue. 

What I find important is that we have always stayed focused on youth homelessness specifically. Over the years, many people have encouraged us to broaden our scope to address homelessness more generally, but we have always resisted that. I believe that homelessness and youth homelessness, while related, are genuinely different challenges that require different expertise and different responses. The deeper your understanding of a specialised area, the better your results will be. That focus is, I think, precisely what makes our model work. 

3 -Hope Street Youth Housing is in its embryonic stage of development.  What is your message to the Board of this new entity as it navigates its path to providing affordable housing to vulnerable young people?  

My message is simple: be bold and be brave. 

I also think that if you are new to development, it is important to understand from the outset that this is a long game. Unlike many other areas of community services, housing development moves slowly and unpredictably. Planning approvals can stall, funding cycles do not always align with project timelines, and the goalposts can shift in ways that are entirely outside your control. There will be highs and lows along the way, and the ability to stay steady through both is what separates organisations that succeed from those that do not. Projects like these can take anywhere from five to ten years to come to fruition, which means that building a strong pipeline is essential. A pipeline allows you to keep moving forward on multiple fronts, so that when one project stalls, another is ready to progress, and when funding becomes available, you are already positioned to receive it. Learning how to plan ahead in that way, rather than reacting to each opportunity as it arises, is one of the most important skills a new housing developer can build. 

One thing I always emphasise is the need for patient capital. There is a tendency, understandably, for people to want quick results and immediate impact, but development does not work that way. It requires a long-term commitment and the willingness to stay the course even when progress feels slow. Understanding that from the beginning will make all the difference for a new entity like Hope Street Youth Housing as it finds its footing and builds toward its ambitions. 

4 - Hope Street is incredibly grateful for PIF’s contribution to the development of the Whittlesea First Response Youth Service. What would you say to a young person experiencing homelessness, or accessing a service like this for the first time?  

My message to any young person experiencing homelessness would be this: people do care. I think when you are sitting outside the system, it can feel very easy to believe that no one is paying attention or that the world has moved on without you. I hear that from young people sometimes, and I understand why they feel that way, but it is simply not true. 

People genuinely want the best for others, and when you walk through the doors of a service like this for the first time and you feel heard and you feel seen, I hope that becomes real for you. Every partner, every industry, every organisation that came together to make a project like Whittlesea First Response Youth Service happen because they want to be part of the solution. They chose to show up. That is not nothing. That is people deciding that your future matters, and putting their time, expertise and resources behind that belief. 

I would say to any young person that “You are not invisible. There are people in your corner, even when it does not feel that way”.

HWL Ebsworth Lawyers  – Leighton Moon 

1 - HWL Ebsworth Lawyers has been providing pro-bono legal support to Hope Street for a number of years now - Can you tell us how that relationship came about, and what it looks like in practice?  

 The relationship with Hope Street began when HWL Ebsworth was brought in to help with the Whittlesea project. There were some challenges in delivering that project, and the team worked through them together. From there, and true to Donna's (CEO of Hope Street) indefatigable enthusiasm, the relationship quickly grew, expanding into areas such as making the constitution more fit for purpose, assisting with funding for projects, and supporting the process of becoming a registered community housing agency. 

That work included having a team of HWL Ebsworth lawyers seconded to Hope Street for several months to help get everything into place. The team found the experience genuinely rewarding - a welcome change from the normal corporate law firm environment, with noticeably better morning teas. It has been, all round, a really rewarding and enjoyable experience being involved with Hope Street. 

2 - Helping establish Hope Street Youth Housing as a registered community housing agency is a landmark achievement – Why does it matter so much for the future of youth homelessness services in Victoria and why should the wider community care about it?  

It is a massive achievement, and I am really happy for Hope Street that they have managed to take this step. Whenever the facilities are visited or conversations are had with Hope Street CEO and the board at Hope Street, one thing is immediately clear, the demand for their services is enormous. Finding longer-term solutions for young people has always been a real challenge, and the honest truth is that ten more facilities could be built and they would all be full. 

Hope Street does a great job getting people in, making them feel safe, and giving them the respite they need to find their feet. However, longer-term solutions for individuals and their families are just as important, and this new entity is a meaningful step along that journey. 

One of the things that struck me, and to be honest, surprised me a little when I first visited and met some of the young people was just how warm, normal and engaging they were. These are not people at risk of being lost to society, they are people who simply need a helping hand. With that support, they have every opportunity to build a good life and pass that on to the next generation. There is a real and practical opportunity for organisations like Hope Street to provide that helping hand at the right moment and watch someone's trajectory change completely. 

What also stands out is the way Donna and the team communicate with young people. Being caring without coming across as patronising is not easy, but they manage it in a consistently positive and inspirational way. The result is visible: the young people at their facilities are noticeably more relaxed, engaged and hopeful. 

So, to any organisations out there thinking of supporting Hope Street, I can genuinely say that the outcomes they achieve are really impressive. The difference they make to individuals who just need that little extra support is remarkable to witness. My team have found it genuinely rewarding working with Hope Street, and the enthusiasm of both the staff and the young people is contagious. 

3 - HWL Ebsworth's support spans contracts, leases, property matters, governance, risk, and policy, from a legal perspective, what are the most pressing challenges facing community organisations like Hope Street, and where do you see the most promising solutions emerging?  

 HWL Ebsworth is a full-service law firm, which means we can help Hope Street with pretty much anything that comes up, property matters, corporate matters, and everything in between. 

That said, the most pressing challenge facing organisations like Hope Street is not strictly a legal one. It is a red tape issue. The sheer amount of effort and administration that goes into paperwork, approvals and financing is a real distraction from the core task of looking after young people. Much of what we have been able to do is provide boots on the ground: enthusiastic, intelligent and hardworking people who can navigate the various hoops that need to be cleared to get things across the line. 

Securing funding, in the right amounts and at the right times, remains a pressing difficulty for all organisations like Hope Street. The demand speaks for itself, if ten more facilities had been built over the last six or seven years, they would all be completely full and oversubscribed. This is where HWL Ebsworth's background as corporate advisors brings particular value. Understanding how funders and financiers think, and being able to speak their language, strengthens Hope Street's credibility with the agencies that matter, demonstrating that it is not just an organisation with a big heart, but one with the intellectual horsepower and support structure to deliver on what it is trying to achieve. 

Beyond navigating paperwork, there is also real value in the credibility that comes with having a major law firm and strong advisors behind an organisation. When agencies are deciding who to fund, having a professional support network in place, including specialists like brand architecture consultancies who help build gravitas and standing, genuinely matters. That is what HWL Ebsworth has been able to provide, and it has been a really rewarding journey. 

4 - Pro-bono work of this depth requires real commitment from your team, what do you think about this type of project that motivates your team to contribute their expertise and good will?  

 As mentioned, several team members were seconded to Hope Street for a few months, and they really loved the experience. They found it genuinely rewarding in all sorts of ways. The ultimate goal was obviously something they could see real merit in, but beyond that, the Hope Street staff were so enthusiastic, and that enthusiasm is infectious. The team were just really happy to go into their offices and work alongside them. 

The way that Donna and her team communicate the good work they are doing, and make you feel personally involved in the lives of each young person they impact, is always really rewarding, and of course, meeting the young people themselves and seeing the difference being made is a great boost. 

For anyone thinking about supporting Hope Street, one of the things that stands out is the immediacy of the impact. The assistance being provided is very practical and the results are obvious each time. Some charities do great work, but it can be difficult to see because much of it is research-based or longer term. What is really special about Hope Street is that you can immediately see people being impacted for the better, and that makes it very easy for the team to stay motivated and engaged. 

5 - The human impact behind every contract reviewed and every policy strengthened, there is a young person moving more quickly toward safety and a home, can you share a moment where you felt the real-world impact of HWL Ebsworth's legal work on being a part of the solutions to youth  homelessness with the establishment of Hope Street Youth Housing? And what would be your message to a young person impacted by homelessness right now? 

 There are many examples of that. One of the great things that Donna and her team do is get everyone who has been involved in a project along to the opening of each facility. The contracts are done, the project delivery is supported to get it built, and then attending the opening and coming back several months later for a coffee with the team to see it filling up with young people is an immediate and obvious reward. It is clear evidence of the good work that Hope Street are doing and how HWL Ebsworth is contributing to that. 

As part of those visits, the team also gets to meet with the young people themselves, sit down, have a coffee or a scone, and talk with them about life and everything that is going on. That is always really special. 

As for what to say to a young person facing homelessness right now, it is a difficult question to answer simply, because one of the things that becomes very obvious is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. They all come with different backstories, different challenges and different strengths. One of the most important things that Hope Street does, and it is a message in itself, is simply this: here is a safe space. What I would like the young people to know is “There are people who care about you and who are going to help you get on the right track, even if they are not people who are immediately part of your life. There are broader organisations like Hope Street out there that can give you that extra helping hand”. 

Even after six or seven years of being involved, hearing the stories of people who have been through Hope Street and the steps they have made in their lives is genuinely inspirational. It is great that Donna does such a good job helping the current young people see what life has looked like for those who were in their position just a few years ago. 

Anthony Goldsworthy, Chair of the Board of Hope Street Youth Housing Limited.   

1 - Congratulations on your appointment as Chair of the Board of Hope Street Youth Housing Limited. Behind every governance role there is usually a deeply personal reason for showing up. What is it about youth homelessness specifically that drew you to take on this role, and was there a particular moment that solidified your commitment to this cause? 

I have an understanding of the challenges young people face growing up in areas that often carry significant socioeconomic disadvantages. I was really passionate about being part of an organisation that truly puts young people at the centre, one that gives those who have found themselves at risk of, or actually experiencing, homelessness the best possible chance to extract themselves from that situation and have an equal shot at a fair and prosperous life, just as others do across the state.

There wasn't one particular moment, but rather a feeling. Having been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunities I have had in life, it was really important that I did my bit to help others who weren't so fortunate.

2 - Hope Street Youth Housing has been years in the making, from feasibility studies to ASIC registration and represents a landmark step in expanding safe, stable housing options for young people. As Chair, what excites you most about what this new entity can achieve? And what wasn't possible before? 

Hope Street Youth Housing has been established as a not-for-profit and registered housing provider in Victoria. What that means is that Hope Street Youth Housing will

have access to, and the ability to develop and maintain, properties made available for both young people and other tenants, in order to increase the overall property pool for people who really need somewhere to live.

In the past, that wasn't possible under the model that Hope Street Youth and Family Services operated under, as it wasn't a registered housing provider. The way public policy is moving at the moment is to provide access to more properties and capital through various government initiatives to build and run more social housing. We are super excited to have established this entity, because it gives us a greater opportunity to champion the needs of young people in social housing.

This goes beyond just supporting those at the pointy end, those requiring a safe roof for a few weeks or a few months through the refuge programmes that Hope Street Youth and Family Services has been operating for many years. It's about providing a longer-term option for young people after they exit that initial crisis mode. Something more solid, where they can start to establish proper roots in the community, around family, around jobs, and simply have somewhere that is truly their own.

Many other registered housing providers aren't necessarily focused on young people, whereas our organisation will be very much focused on providing social housing specifically for young people.

3 - We acknowledge the tremendous commitment and support from key Hope Street partners, including HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, as well as individuals wanting to be part of the solution to youth homelessness. How critical has their support and expert contribution been in establishing Hope Street Youth Housing? 

I'd like to particularly recognise HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, who have provided significant support on a pro bono basis. There is a lot of work that goes into establishing a new company, registering as a not-for-profit with the ATO, becoming a registered housing provider, and not to mention all the policies and processes that need to be established for a new legal entity. Their support has been long-term and tremendous in getting this company set up.

I'd also like to recognise Dr Kate Kerkin from K2 Planning, who has been fabulous in helping us through that process, as well as Affordable Housing Solutions, who helped us work through the options around establishing this entity.

I'd like to thank all of those parties, but also the tremendous boards of directors of both Hope Street Youth and Family Services and Hope Street Youth Housing. They are all volunteers who have put their hands up to spend their very valuable personal time contributing to both entities and to the establishment of this new entity.

And of course, the tireless work of the entire Hope Street management team and staff, who do a great job every day on the ground and have gone above and beyond in getting this entity up and running.

4 - What would you say to government, philanthropists and the corporate sector about why investing in youth-specific social housing is one of the smartest investments they can make?  

There has obviously been a lot of work to get to this point, the Hope Street Youth Housing organisation is currently just establishing its operations, and we are going to require significant support from both government and private philanthropists to help us take that next step, get operational, and start doing what we set out to do for young people.

What I would say is that any investment or contribution towards helping young people carries a really significant social return on investment, and that has been proven over the years. Intervention at a young age can actually help save a great deal of money within the public system further down the track, given that young people who have been through one of our services are less likely to require additional support later, whether that be through the health system, the prison system, or other areas of public expenditure.

I think it is a smart economic investment in our young people, but also an important investment in social cohesion given that young people make up such an important part of the fabric of our society here in Australia and in Victoria.

5 - As someone who has chosen to dedicate your leadership to ensuring young people have a safe place to call home. What would you say to a young person right now who is facing homelessness or navigating some of life's toughest challenges? 

I'd say to a young person in that situation that, there are people out there, including all of us at Hope Street who understand how hard it is. We understand that the cost of living right now is making things even harder, and we know that the system is not perfect. We know that a number of you have been left behind because of that system.

But I want any young person currently having a difficult time to hear that there are people who care. There are many people contributing, both financially and through their time and effort to help address some of the challenges you are going through, and we will continue to do that, and to advocate for you with government and in the public sphere.

6 - In five years’ time, how will you know that Hope Street Youth Housing Limited has succeeded. What does that look like for the organisation, and more importantly, what does it look like for a young person? 

I think we will have succeeded even if we have helped just one young person into stable housing, but we are a little more ambitious than that. We want to ensure there is a material increase in the inventory of social housing available to young people and we want to ensure that every young person who comes through one of our refuges is able to find stable housing as they exit, whether that be through Hope Street Youth Housing or through other organisations that we can inspire to do something similar to what we are doing as a registered housing provider.

After weeks of intensive work, Hope Street are proud to announce that as of Friday 23rd of May we have officially completed our submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care's federal consortium on models of mental health care and support service for young people. The submission is titled 'The missing pieces’ Submission on the needs of young people experiencing homelessness for the national review of Youth Mental Health Models. The submission was shaped by the invaluable insights and feedback of our staff as those who work directly with young people every day. Approximately three quarters of young people who access Hope Street programs have either diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health conditions at the point of entry to our programs.

The Orygen Consortium summary paper unfortunately failed to discuss the experiences and needs of young people who experience homelessness, despite young people being one of the biggest cohorts of people experiencing homelessness. This cohort of homeless people continues to grow, and it is critical that Hope Street uses this opportunity to advocate for this extremely vulnerable and socio-economically disadvantaged group of young people.

Hope Street's submission contains a list of recommendations about what would work for young people. The submission is available in the publications section of our website and is linked here:

More information about the work and focus of the Consortium can be found on their website which supplies public-facing documents about the other work which has already been completed.