YHARS youth housing
Youth Housing and Reintegration Services (YHARS) helps young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It provides support, financial help and access to different accommodation options. YHARS is made up of 2 services:
- YHARS Support—provided in 6 locations (Toowoomba, Inala, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay/Maryborough, Mt Isa and Townsville)
- After Care Service—available statewide.
Who is eligible?
YHARS Support
Young people aged 12–21 who are:
- remanded in custody and for whom bail support may be an option, and/or
- transitioning from a period of sentence or remand in youth detention centres, including young people who are in the care of the department, and/or
- ‘sleeping rough’ and/or living in unstable, temporary or inadequate housing.
After Care Service
Young people aged 17–21 who are leaving, or have left the care of, Child Safety Services and are at risk of homelessness.
How can YHARS help me?
If you’re eligible, a caseworker can help you work out what services and support you need to sort out your housing situation and related needs. This might include helping you to:
- apply for and access accommodation
- make contact with your family or carers (if that’s appropriate)
- find education, training and job opportunities
- get skills and knowledge to help you stay in a place and to live by yourself
- link with support, specialist services and longer-term accommodation services
- access financial help to pay for goods or services that are related to the above.
YHARS can give you one of the following options for a place to live:
- youth studios
- ‘transition to independent living’ units
- supervised community accommodation (Townsville only).
After Care Service
If you’re eligible, the After Care Service can provide case management support and access to financial help toward things like:
- gas, electricity, phone bills or overdue rent
- job-related licences (for example, a driver licence or a fork lift ticket)
- household items, clothes or food
- personal development, employment or training opportunities.
How can I be referred to YHARS?
You can refer yourself by contacting one of the YHARS providers in your area (see the list below). You can also get a referral from Child Safety Services, Youth Justice Services, youth detention centres, a youth service organisation or other non-government organisations.
How can I be referred to After Care?
You can refer yourself by contacting one of the YHARS providers who will assist you to link with a local youth service to assist you to apply for After Care support (see the list below). You can also be referred by Child Safety Services, Youth Justice Services, youth detention centres, a youth service organisation or other non-government organisations.
YHARS service providers:
Hervey Bay / Maryborough
Australian Red Cross Society
- Address:
- 98 Bazaar Street
Maryborough QLD 4650 - Phone:
- (07) 4123 4697
Inala
Inala Keys (next to the Blue Fin Fishing Club)
- Address:
- 16 Lilac Street
Inala QLD 4077 - Phone:
- (07) 3372 3410
Mount Isa
Young People Ahead (contact Townsville for the After Care Service)
- Address:
- 11-13 Fourth Avenue
Mount Isa QLD 4825 - Phone:
- (07) 4743 1000
- Mobile:
- 0408 751 799
Toowoomba
Australian Red Cross Society
- Address:
- 371 Taylor Street
Toowoomba QLD 4350 - Phone:
- (07) 4614 1600
Townsville
Queensland Youth Services
- Address:
- 641 Ross River Road
Kirwan QLD 4817 - Phone:
- (07) 4723 4213
Rockhampton
Capricornia Training Company
- Address:
- 38 Armstrong Street
Rockhampton QLD 4700 - Phone:
- (07) 4922 2008
- 1800 616 289
