Breaking the cycle of homelessness and empowering young people to live safely and independently in community.
WELCOME
Launchpad is a Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) supporting young people and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the City of Sydney. Launchpad provides a wide range of services and opportunities to enhance young people’s capacity so they can participate, engage and belong in the community.
Launchpad is responsible for leading a number of DCJ and City of Sydney funded projects including the Sydney Youth Homelessness Hub, The Sydney District Young Parents Program, assertive outreach to rough sleepers and a Brokerage Program supporting 21 city based youth, SHS and health services.
HELP EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE …
JOIN THE LAUNCHPAD BOARD
What would I get out of being a Board member?
This is an opportunity to influence the organisation, practices and culture at Launchpad and empower young people. As a Board member, you can become directly involved in helping young people make positive changes in their lives.
ASSERTIVE OUTREACH
Launchpad participates in coordinated assertive outreach to clients who are street based or experiencing primary homelessness in the City of Sydney. Launchpad are members of the HART and HOST coordination groups formed by the City of Sydney and the Department of Justice and Communities.
RENT CHOICE YOUTH PROGRAM
The NSW Government has a program called Rent Choice Youth. The program helps young people aged 16 to 24 years to:
- find a place to live (in a private rental unit, flat or home)
- get approved for a lease
- pay the rent for up to three years
- stay in a current rental if it’s affordable and help is needed to pay the rent
Who can get Rent Choice Youth?
You can apply if you:
- are aged 16 to 24 years old,
- don’t have your own place to live (you might be sleeping on a couch at a friend’s place, in a shelter or boarding house or at risk of homelessness),
- are an Australian Citizen or Australian permanent resident, and
- are motivated to work or complete study or training to help obtain a job and
- are on a low income or studying.
How does it work?
For the first 12 months, you pay 25% of your weekly income plus 100% of any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you may be entitled to get. Once you have paid your part of the rent, we pay the rest directly to the landlord or real estate agent. The amount you pay will go up gradually after 12 months, but we’ll chat to you about that closer to the time. How you pay your rent can include wages, government allowances, benefits and child support payments. Your income can increase and you can still continue to receive Rent Choice Youth.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Launchpad aims to ensure young people have the opportunity to fully participate in the community.
We achieve this by:
Support to access affordable housing or support to maintain a tenancy
We work with other organisations who provide counselling, support with trauma, and other stressful situations.
Support with your finances (employment, study, Centrelink, etc)
Opportunities for participation in events, leadership activities and recreation.
Assistance with health issues, school issues, and other personal issues that concern you.
Develop a goal plan and coach you towards achieving these goals, whether it be a job, an idea, or changing the world!
We advocate to reduce structural barriers for young people.
We champion the talents and potential of young people by proactively engaging in Local, State and National political processes.
I’M A YOUNG PERSON
Launchpad supports young people aged 16-24 years with a range of services including; accessing or keeping your housing, finances, things at home, things at school, advice & information about education/employment, and coaching you towards achieving your personal goals and aspirations.
You may like to give us an initial call to talk about your current situation, whether you need some direction on where to go, who to contact for more help, what options are available to you, or just to get some general advice.
After you contact us we aim to see you within 7 days.
Young people who request assistance can expect us to:
- Ask you questions about your needs and goals (assessment)
- Develop a plan with you to achieve these goals
- Give you information and advice
- Work with other services you may be involved with to coordinate our efforts together
- Work with your family, friends, carers and others to try make things at home better
- Connect you to other services such as health, employment and education
- Provide you with support to access affordable housing
- Give you a chance to participate in our many social/recreational events
- Assist you in gaining access to income support (e.g. Centrelink)
I’M A SUPPORT PERSON
If you are a family member, carer, youth worker, professional or just someone who is concerned for a friend, Launchpad can assist you with advice and information for young people and families that you might be working with.
Launchpad offers flexible support to young people and their families, and/or other professionals helping young people. We offer a young person centered approach and work in collaboration with a range of organisations.
Please contact us for more information.
GET INVOLVED
There are a number of ways an investment will supporting young people and enhancing opportunities.
