BOOST is an Enhanced Youth Refuge Response initiative that offers vulnerable young people and young families an integrated approach and immediate response to their situations and needs, with the aim of diverting them from the homelessness service system or preventing them from entering the system in the first place. BOOST is an integrated program which is located at Hope Street’s youth refuge in Brunswick West and is designed for young people with multiple needs who are disconnected from their community, allied support and mainstream services.

BOOST Specialist Practitioners provide a weekly outpost for young people at the Access Point in Preston run by Haven; Home, Safe. Young people can be referred by the Access Point staff and seen by our BOOST Specialist Practitioners for information and support or referral into the BOOST program for ongoing support.

What does the program offer?

BOOST uses a multidisciplinary team approach to deliver services to young people experiencing homelessness including:

• intensive case management for up to three months
• short-term accommodation for up to seven nights in the 'short stay bed'
• short-term crisis support for up to six weeks
• housing support
• linkages to the community
• role modelling and mentoring
• referral pathways
• living skills
• budgeting assistance
• advice and information

How can young people enter this program?

Young people must be:

• 16 - 25 years of age
• (at risk of) experiencing homelessness and in crisis
• linked to the North and North-West Metropolitan region of Melbourne

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