A safe place to call home

Following a family breakdown and with no option to stay with another family member or to couch surf with friends, Katelyn was at risk of becoming homeless.

“I did not have the best childhood, and everything was a bit rough,” Katelyn said.

“I was not in the best headspace.”

At just 17 years old, Katelyn needed support to help her move forward in her life in a more positive direction.

Despite seeking help, other local service providers labelled her as a troubled teen, leaving Katelyn without the guidance she needed.

However, Believe Housing Australia regional partner ac.care’s Reconnect service saw Katelyn’s potential to flourish with the right support.

Reconnect helps young people aged 12 to 18 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to stabilise their living situation and improve their level of engagement with family, work, education, training, and their local community.

“It took me a while to open up to my case worker and trust her,” Katelyn said.

“I wanted to drop out of school, but my case worker encouraged me to finish Year 12.”

After receiving support through Reconnect, Katelyn was then offered an apartment in the Studio Purpose project at the age of 18.

About Studio Purpose

Studio Purpose was created to help address the rise of youth homelessness and reduce the number of young people in Murray Bridge sleeping rough or couch surfing.

Developed in a partnership between Believe Housing Australia, ac.care, headspace, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Habitat for Humanity Australia, and the South Australian Housing Trust, Studio Purpose contains eight purpose-built, fully furnished units for short-term rent in Murray Bridge, made available to young people aged between 15 and 23 who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness.

As part of the partnership, Believe Housing Australia manages the properties.

Since 2021, the project has converted disused duplexes into eight apartments, with the second block of four released in 2024.

In addition to providing safe accommodation for residents, Studio Purpose also links them to support services to help them take the next steps towards building the life they want.

This includes engaging young people in education or employment, connecting them with the local community, focusing on improving health and wellbeing, reunifying them with family, building life skills, and helping them find longer-term sustainable housing options, such as social housing or private rentals.

“The restart I needed”

Katelyn lived in her Studio Purpose apartment for two years, and within this time was given a stable base to identify what she wanted to do in life, as well as her goals and passions.

With the help of the program partners, she was supported to obtain her driver’s licence, start studying at TAFE, and learn stress management techniques.

Katelyn also found a tight-knit community in her neighbours at Studio Purpose, who were all young people sharing similar experiences.

“I made friends with most of the other young people living in the apartments,” Katelyn said.

“I am still in contact with a few of them.”

Now, Katelyn has moved out of her Studio Purpose apartment and is looking toward the future, having nearly completed her qualifications in her chosen field, secured a job in the industry, and strengthened her family relationships.

“In the next couple of years, I hope to work my way up to management, while also continuing my volunteering with ac.care,” Katelyn said.

“I want to help the community and give back what people gave to me.

“Studio Purpose gave me the restart I needed, because I hit rock bottom, and it helped guide my way of what I wanted to do.

“It opened more pathways for me to explore.”