FAN is proud to be the first homelessness service to have successfully completed the Rainbow Tick Accreditation.
Rainbow Tick Accredited in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023.
About FAN
Over 40,000 young Australians under 25 experience homelessness every year. That’s 1 in 4 of Australia’s homeless population. At Family Access Network (FAN), we believe every young person deserves a safe, stable home and the support to build a brighter future.
Since 1981, we’ve been dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk young people, young families, and LGBTIQA+ youth find secure, inclusive and safe accommodation. Early intervention leads to better outcomes, and we are committed to providing a client-focused, rights-based approach that ensures that those who turn to us receive compassionate, timely, and effective support.
What We Do
FAN provides a range of essential services, including:
- Safe & Inclusive Housing – Secure accommodation options tailored to young people’s needs, including specialist housing for LGBTIQA+ youth.
- Therapeutic Support – including creative arts therapy for LGBTIQA+ young people and young pregnant and parenting people who have experienced family violence, providing a space for healing and self-expression.
- Skill Development – Programs that foster independence, resilience, and social connection.
- Resource Development – Creating tools and support networks for young people, children, and staff.
- Research & Innovation – Conducting and contributing to research to ensure best practices in youth homelessness support.
Who We Support
We work with young people (aged 16–25) who are homeless or at risk, including:
- Single and LGBTIQA+ young people
- Young pregnant and parenting women
- Young families and their children
At FAN, we’re more than a service—we’re a community. We’re committed to ensuring every young person, regardless of their background, has access to safe accommodation, therapeutic support, and the resources they need to thrive. Together, we can create a future where no young person has to navigate homelessness alone.
Homeless Support Services
Private Rental Brokerage Prog.
Life Skills Program
Children’s Program
Volunteers
FAN’s Homeless Support Services use a client focused case management framework to provide support and assistance to young people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.
Through the Youth Homelessness Action Plan 2 (YHAP2) Initiative funding, FAN has established a Private Rental Brokerage Program to assist and equip young homeless people to access, retain and sustain private rental accommodation as a long-term option.
The Life Skills Program, funded through City of Whitehorse and other partners, offers a variety of workshop-based activities for at-risk young people to learn new skills within a personal development framework.
The Children’s Program – Early Years provides adequate and timely support to young pregnant / parenting families and there accompanying children, providing them with appropriate services and therapeutic interventions.
There is a rich and rewarding history of volunteers contributing to the care of young people linked to FAN’s services.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners in each of the communities where we work and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
