Vulnerable young people facing homelessness will be assisted with the expansion of the Youth Private Rental Subsidy from the NSW Government.

Speaking today at the launch of National Homelessness Prevention Week, Minister for Social Housing Brad Hazzard said the subsidy will be expanded to Wagga Wagga and the Central Coast.

“Reducing youth homelessness is one of the Premier’s top priorities,” Mr Hazzard said.

“But a roof over their head is just the beginning – which is why this subsidy also provides young people with a dedicated support worker and engages them with education, training and job seeking activities.

“This subsidy has already been successfully trialled in the Hunter New England region, and was recently launched in Nepean Blue Mountains and Western NSW – it is currently assisting 70 young people into housing and a future.”

Under this subsidy people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness will pay rent starting at 25 per cent of their income. In some locations where the rent is high, they will be given a greater subsidy to enable them to live in locations close to education and work opportunities.

The NSW Government subsidy will taper off over three years as young people move into paid employment.

The subsidy will be rolled out to four other areas during 2016-17 and it is expected at least 290 young people will receive the subsidy each year.

“As a Government, we are committed to helping young people break the cycle of disadvantage and get on the right track for their future,” Mr Hazzard said.

The subsidy is part of the NSW Government’s expansion of tailored private rental assistance linked to education and training support under Future Directions, the NSW Government’s blueprint for reforming social housing.