‘Ladder’, the joint AFL Players’ Association and AFL Foundation initiative tackling youth homelessness, is pleased to announce the launch of a new accommodation, training and mentoring service to be created for young homeless people in South Australia.

PICTURED: SA Housing Minister The Hon Jennifer Rankine, AFLPA CEO Brendon Gale & Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek

The partnership with the South Australian State and Federal Governments will see the construction and operation of a $9.5 million ’Ladder’ housing project for homeless youth.

Situated in Port Adelaide, the new accommodation, training and mentoring service for young homeless people was launched today by the Federal Housing Minister, Tanya Plibersek, South Australian State Housing Minister, Jennifer Rankine, South Australian Social Inclusion Commissioner Monsignor David Cappo and AFL Players' Association CEO Brendon Gale.

Ladder is harnessing the AFL industries power for change, and is partnering with State and Federal Governments as well as the philanthropic, corporate and industry service provider sectors across Australia with the bold aim of creating a ‘Ladder’ youth homelessness facility in every state where AFL football is played.

The South Australian centre joins a soon to be up and running Victorian ’Ladder’ housing project and forms a key part of the AFL industries coordinated national service response to Australia’s youth homelessness crises.

Current AFL players will provide structured and tailored mentoring services for the young centre residents which will also see residents provided with integrated housing, employment and education opportunities under the innovative Foyer Plus Service Model.

In addition to providing housing for young, vulnerable people, Ladder Foyer will offer on-site 24 hour support, linking residents to education and training programs, as well as mentoring services from past and present AFL players.

Ms Rankine said that Ladder Foyer was an outstanding example of what could be achieved when Government worked with Non-Government Organisations, including local businesses and community groups.

“The success of this project can be attributed to all the working players – Federal, State and Local Government and the AFL Industries’ Ladder program, all with a common goal to reduce homelessness,” Ms Rankine said.

Funded by $5.5 million from the Federal Government’s ‘A Place to Call Home’ program and $4 million from the State Government, Ladder Foyer will begin with extensive renovations of its building at the Port Adelaide site. This funding will also provide a further 17 units for young families at risk, to be developed separately in stage two of the project.

The young residents staying at Ladder Foyer will be linked to broader opportunities, such as learning life skills, job training, employment opportunities and social, sporting and cultural activities.

Past and present AFL players and elite female athletes will work with the young residents, who will draw on the experience, inspiration and motivation of players, gained from playing a professional sport.

AFL Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Demetriou, congratulated the SA Government and said it was a great opportunity for Government, the AFL Foundation and AFL players to work collaboratively to address the issue of homelessness.

“The players and the AFL Foundation are committed to this project and to bringing greater awareness and resources to tackling homelessness,” Mr Demetriou said.

AFL Players’ Association Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gale was full of praise for the initiative and said the combined efforts of the AFL industry and Government was sure to make a difference to the lives of young homeless people.

“We know that over 100,000 people are homeless every night in Australia, a statistic I still find staggering. The relationship between the AFL industry and Government is terrific example of a new way of thinking which creates innovative and collaborative partnerships to help create change. AFL players are well aware of the privileged position they enjoy in our society and more than ever are keen to offer a helping hand to those in a less fortunate position than themselves. This initiative is yet another example of this.” Mr Gale said.

“The support programs attached to Ladder Foyer will not only provide quality accommodation, but both stabilise and rebuild the lives of young people, allowing them to develop their potential,” Ms Rankine said.

www.ladder.org.au