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Transferability of the youth foyer model for women exiting the criminal justice system

Summary This article reports on research with an Australian Homelessness Prevention Project, Restart, which set out to test the transferability of a Youth Foyer model for women exiting prison. The aim of the program was to prevent homelessness for this group of women by stabilising both housing and employment. The program design included a comprehensive package of services including support, housing, and assistance with finding employment. The research methods included analysis of program data, and interviews with program staff and clients. Findings The research found that while the Restart model was described as an adult foyer model, it had some characteristics of a Youth Foyer model and some characteristics of a Housing First model. The imperative to be employed within 12 months in order to be able to afford the housing prevented the program from supporting women to pursue longer-term goals such as education and training which typify youth foyers. Although the program had only limited success with assisting the women to find employment, it demonstrated that intensive assistance that includes support and housing can assist women to stabilise their lives and avoid re-offending post release. Application This research indicates that it would be worthwhile to pursue a model that provides social housing that is permanent and will be affordable in the long term, facilitates employment by establishing corporate partnerships, perhaps with social enterprises, and assists women to establish longer-term goals and undertake education and training in order to provide them with better labour market access in the future.