Following the inspiring success of our tiny-home pilot, with tenants reporting improved mental health and increased engagement in education and employment, BackTrack Youth Works partnered with us to build four tiny homes of their own to assist in the provision of additional beds for at-risk young people in Armidale.

The homes, with full kitchen, bathroom and veranda are designed to create a pathway to independence, with residents taking full responsibility of paying rent, on-going maintenance and cleanliness of the homes.

Four BackTrack young people have been employed to build the homes from floor to ceiling. In doing so the build has created jobs for these young people and provided over 1000 hours of on the job training. The young people selected to take residence in the tiny homes are all participants of the BackTrack program and are transitioning from work experience to paid employment.

Two months into the build, the frames of the structures are up, floors are in and work has commenced on the internal fitouts of kitchens and bathrooms. The tiny homes are well on track for their December completion date.

BackTrack Youth Works exists to keep kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams. Guided by a holistic, flexible and long-term approach to youth work, they help young people reconnect to their community, engage with education and training, get work-ready and find jobs. Their core program focuses on developing practical life and employability skills through classroom learning, trade training and flexible wellbeing and youth work, support. Read more at www.backtrack.org.au