We’re proud to announce that Burdekin, in partnership with Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation has received funding to deliver a culturally safe transitional housing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. The funds are courtesy of a Homes NSW (NSW Government) grant from the Homelessness Innovation Fund.
In partnership with: NSW Government.
At the time of our application for the grant, there were 18 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Burdekin’s out-of-home care and foster care. This included three sets of siblings.
A Culturally Safe Home in Sydney
The program will provide a four-bedroom transitional home located in Sydney’s south-east or inner-west, offering short term accommodation for up to three months at a time. The transitional housing program is not just for Burdekin young people but will be open to any young person in the local area or state that is in need of transitional housing.
Fundamentally, it is designed to be more than just housing – it will offer a culturally safe and trauma-informed space to help young people stabilise and plan their next steps.
Wraparound Support that Goes Beyond Housing
The young people (aged 18-24) will receive individualised case management, including:
- Help with securing long-term housing
- Employment readiness support
- Financial literacy and budgeting assistance
- Life skills development and independent living preparation
- Banking and Centrelink navigation
- Cooking and nutrition instruction
- Tenancy readiness, and
- Health and wellbeing management.
This will be complemented by culturally responsive support, including:
- Reconnection with their family, where safe and appropriate
- Trial stays with family members
- Participation in cultural activities and ceremonies
“We’re so proud to have won this grant. This is a major step in closing the gap. This is the practical work that is required to reduce the disparities in life outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and other Australians. The goal is to improve various life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, including their health, education, employment, and justice.”
“It is important that youth homelessness has been recognised as the urgent issue that it is. It’s been academically proven that if young people can start off with stable accommodation, they will live a
pro-social and economically successful life.”
Aunty Barbara of Burdekin’s Aboriginal Team.
Early Intervention and Long-Term Outcomes
This transitional housing program aims to support up to 18 young people between July 2025 and June 2026, offering early intervention to reduce the young people’s reliance on crisis accommodation.
The goal is to create long-term housing stability, while strengthening each young person’s connection to culture, family and community.
Our Commitment to Culturally Responsive Practice
This initiative reflects Burdekin’s commitment to working in culturally safe and collaborative ways with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By embedding cultural understanding into every aspect of support, we aim to empower young people to heal, grow, and thrive.
We look forward to launching this project in the coming months and sharing stories of positive impact and connection.
