This model youth village goes beyond resettlement by providing an opportunity for young people to control their lives with their bare hands. Combining housing and training, we can provide homeless youth with valuable, in-demand skills they can use to cement a life for themselves, building a community around craftsmanship, and giving them a strong sense of identity and ownership. By literally handing them the tools, young people can lay the foundation for a bright future.

Ownership is more than moving in. Using self-building, we can give homeless youth ownership over their situation, and provide the knowledge to build and repair. By emphasising self-reliance, we can promote a positive sense of ownership and identity, ensuring homeless youth have the tools to prepare themselves for the rest of their lives.

The site has 3 dwelling types throughout 5 clusters, centred around a common greenspace, with a front-facing TAFE facility. Residents work towards a qualification while working on the construction of the dwellings, building both their home, and their future. The material palette is integrated with the TAFE curriculum, with opportunities for carpentry, brick/blocklaying, flooring, roofing, walls and ceilings.