Yfoundations is a peak body that seeks to 'create a future without youth homelessness'

From its initial inception in 1979, then known as the Youth Refuge Action Group, Yfoundations has sought to represent the needs of young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and the services who support them.

Check out our Prezi to learn about who we are, what we do and why we do it by clicking here. 

Our Member Network

Yfoundations has a network of member services working with young people, government organisations, concerned individuals, and other organisations that work with young people. What joins this network together is the conviction to ensure that no young person is be homeless.

We Work Collaboratively

By working with a range of NGOs, government departments and community members, Yfoundations has sought to develop a range of policies to improve the service provision of youth services and to keep youth homelessness firmly on the political agenda. Yfoundations works closely with other peak organisations such as Homelessness NSW, the Women’s Refuge Movement and the Youth Action Policy Association (YAPA), among others. Yfoundations works on a national level with the National Youth Coalition of Housing and Homelessness Australia.

We Provide Policy and Structural Advocacy

We provide advocacy and policy responses to issues relevant to service providers and community members affected by homelessness. A significant strategy of Yfoundations work is to ensure that the needs of young people experiencing homelessness remain on the political agenda. Yfoundations members are supported to respond to local, state and national issues that affect young people.

We Lead Research & Sector Development

Yfoundations undertakes a number of research and sector development projects to assist services in responding and preventing youth homelessness. These include an annual conference and the publication of a bi-annual journal, Undercurrent, which covers the latest research and programs on youth homelessness.

We Provide Services for Young People

Yfoundations has developed diverse key service delivery areas in its effort to support young people experiencing homelessness and to develop the sector through service capacity development. Yfoundations has a dedicated Homeless Youth Support Worker which provides a simple and reliable way for young people and workers to connect with suitable accommodation and support services via our Yconnect service. This includes a register of vacancies for emergency and supported housing services.

We Develop Health Projects for Young People

Yfoundations Health projects aims to increase health services to homeless and at risk young people across New South Wales. This service is provided through capacity building training to youth workers and other interested people who work with young people, advocating for the needs and rights of homeless young people on the health  agendas and developing and distributing resources to aid people in approaching health with young people experiencing homelessness