The team behind a newly refurbished social housing project that gives young, vulnerable women a place to call home is leading the way and wants to replicate its success across the country.  

The Cocoon housing project in St Kilda, Melbourne opened its doors to its new residents and the public on Tuesday after completing a $1.5 million refurbishment thanks to an innovative collaboration between the business and community sectors.  

The housing service, which is run by housing charity Bridge It, is dedicated to supporting women aged 17 to 21 who have experienced homelessness or the out-of-home care system.  

The refurbishment will add nine newly updated studio apartments to the building, increasing its capacity to 16 studios.  

Bridge It founder and chief executive Carla Raynes said gaps in government funding and policy meant young women were falling through the cracks.    

"With systemic underfunding across the homelessness sector, radical collaboration is key,” Ms Raynes said. 

The $1.5 million refurbishment of the Cocoon social housing building in Melbourne has just been completed. Picture: Supplied

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“We simply can’t expect the government alone to fix this crisis. 

“Our goal at Bridge It is to replicate Cocoon's success nationwide, ensuring every state has a Cocoon so young women can access this transformative program,” she said.   

She said the Cocoon model could be crucial in ending youth homelessness in Australia.   

There are now 16 studio apartments available to support young women in need. Picture: Supplied

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It comes as some 38,000 young people aged 15–24 years were sleeping rough and in need of homelessness services in 2022-23, according to the latest findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 

For the Cocoon project, Bridge It secured the Melbourne building by partnering with community housing provider HousingFirst. 

Housing charity Housing All Australians then helped rally building and construction businesses such as Mirvac, Dulux, RPS, K2LD and Simon Ellis to donate work and products to the refurbishment project.  

"Mirvac is proud to collaborate with Housing All Australians and Bridge It to refurbish these apartments, aiming to provide a new home and supportive community for young people transitioning from care,” Elysa Anderson, general manager residential Victoria and Western Australia at Mirvac, said.  

Bridge It has also raised $2.5 million in donations from the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Mirvac, ANZ, Westpac and AMP to fund the project.  

The funding supports the young women to stay in the residence for 12 to 18 months, providing time to stabilise, learn life and living skills and move positively into adulthood.    

The Cocoon model has drawn support from the community and business sectors. Picture: Supplied

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Bridge It’s pilot program has been successful, placing all 11 Cocoon residents into secure housing so far. 

“In our pilot phase, we provided a home to 11 young women and transitioned from our accommodation into the housing of their choice,” Ms Raynes said.    

“We refuse to give up on our young people.”