Foyer Central

Foyer Central is a purpose-built accommodation and learning centre that provides young people with experience of out-of-home care with a stable home and tailored strengths based support to develop skills to lead independent and fulfilling lives. It is the first Foyer model globally to be funded as a social impact bond, and the first Foyer model solely focused on people with experience of out-of-home care.

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About the program

Foyer Central supports people aged 18-22 who have an experience of out-of-home care (OOHC). At a time of young people’s transition after exiting care, the program provides a safe and affordable place to live while they develop skills to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Foyer Central is a purpose-built centre in Chippendale with a mix of self-contained units and communal areas, designed to facilitate young residents' learning of how to live independently and positively contribute to a community. Foyer Central is staffed around the clock by professionally trained staff from Uniting, ensuring that young people are safe and secure, and can readily access support whenever they need it. Young people will spend, on average, 18 months at the accommodation.

Services commenced in 2021.

Key features

Investment type: Social impact bond

Private capital: $7 million

Expected government payments: up to $33 million ($2.6 million Commonwealth co-funding)

Contract length: 10 years 3 months (service delivery April 2021 to September 2029)

Partners:

Service provider - Uniting
Housing partner - St George Community Housing
Government agency - Department of Communities and Justice
Financial intermediary - Social Ventures Australia (SVA)

Outcome payment metrics: Sustained independent housing, education, and/or income in the 12 months after exiting Foyer Central. This includes no use of social housing, Specialist Homelessness Services, or Temporary Accommodation, as well as no imprisonment or child protection involvement.

Evaluations

Analysis of future service usage of out-of-home care leavers report

Young people with a history of out-of-home care (OOHC) are believed to have a higher risk of poor social outcomes, including homelessness, interaction with the justice system, poor health and high levels of welfare receipt. In 2015, OSII commissioned Taylor Fry to undertake a project to estimate the lifetime cost to government of service usage by young people leaving OOHC. See Analysis of future service usage for o ut-of-h ome-c are leavers report for further details.

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