September 2025
St John of God Horizon House provides safe homes and wraparound support for young people aged 16 to 22 who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Building on the care they already provide, Horizon House caregivers identified an urgent and growing need: safe accommodation and support for young mothers and their infants.
Many young mothers face homelessness due to family conflict, financial hardship, a lack of support networks and the ongoing crisis in affordable housing. A new initiative designed to help address these issues will empower these young women to achieve stability, independence, and a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Thanks to the support of Lotterywest and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, an existing block of one-bedroom units opposite St John of God Subiaco Hospital in Wembley will be transformed into self-contained apartments, accommodating up to six young mothers, each with up to two children, for stays of 12 to 18 months. Located close to the hospital, the site enables caregivers, midwives and case managers to provide integrated, holistic support during a critical time in each mother’s life.
Part of the existing building will also be converted into a communal space featuring an accessible kitchen and lounge. This shared area is central to the program’s vision: a nurturing hub that fosters connection, reduces isolation and builds peer support networks. While each apartment will include basic kitchen facilities, full kitchens will not be installed, encouraging connection through regular, communal meals and shared time together.
The space will also host group education sessions led by experts in areas such as newborn care, sleep and feeding, mental wellbeing, financial literacy, and healthy lifestyle habits. These sessions are intended to build confidence and life skills, increasing the likelihood of long-term success beyond the program.
This initiative addresses a unique service gap in WA, particularly for young mothers with more than one child, and offers a culturally safe and inclusive space where they can rebuild, connect and thrive.
The vision is simple: to create a community where young mothers and their children are supported with secure housing, meaningful resources, and compassionate care so they can flourish.
Small acts of kindness create big ripples of care. Support social outreach programs like St John of God Horizon House today — click to donate or call 1800 281 288.