Next Step
Next Step is an intensive, individualised outreach program that sets up young people for long-term housing success. When young people are ready to move on from our accommodation services and into a place of their own, the Next Step team supports them to search for housing, attend inspections and develop the skills they need to be successful tenants.
Support is tailored to each young person’s needs, and can include assistance with filling out tenancy applications, moving furniture, understanding tenant rights and responsibilities and maintaining a rental property. Young people are also supported to engage with work or education, access childcare if needed, shop for the goods they need to establish their home such as furniture or bedding, and connect with their local communities. This strengths-based approach focuses on each young person’s capacity to overcome the challenges that have led them into homelessness and to take control of their future.
To help young people secure tenancies in an increasingly competitive rental market, St John’s Youth Services provides rental guarantees for Next Step participants to give property managers peace of mind that the rent will be paid on time. Combined with the long-term support provided by each young person’s support team, Next Step participants are well set up to be responsible and successful tenants.
Since it was established in 2009, Next Step has achieved an astonishing success rate. Around 90% of program participants have broken the cycle of homelessness and are still living in independent accommodation.
Next Step is a true community success story. It receives no government funding, and is entirely funded by the generosity of individual donors and philanthropic supporters.
For information about referring yourself or a young person to the Next Step program, email NextStep@sjys.com.au