history of NYAS

NYAS is a community based, non-government organisation providing crisis, medium and long-term accommodation and support services to homeless young people and young families in the Nepean Region.

NYAS has been operating in the region since March 1989 when it was first incorporated as Penrith Youth Refuge, providing crisis accommodation for homeless youth. Prior to that time the refuge was operated as an unincorporated entity. In 1996 the refuge joined with Penrith Youth Network, which provided transitional accommodation for young males and females in the area. It was on the 16th May 1996 that the entity of Nepean Youth Accommodation Support Inc (NYAS) was formed and incorporated.

Since then, NYAS has added a variety of services for young people and young families.

  • December 2005 - Established an intensive support services for young people with more complex needs.
  • March 2006 - As part of a consortium, won a tender to provide parenting programs under the Brighter Futures initiative.
  • September 2006 - Financial Case Management provided in association with Centrelink.
  • Throughout 2006 - Living Skills programs were enhanced with a worker dedicated to developing these services.
  • February 2008 - The Department of Community Service announced that NYAS, as part of a consortium, had been selected to provide semi-independent living services for the Out of Home Care program.

Today, the following services and programs form part of our service model:



Accommodation Support
Crisis accommodation - 24 x 7
Semi-supported living for young males
Transition to independent living

Parenting Services
Semi-supported living for young pregnant females
Young Parenting Program in home or groups

Support Services

  • Intensive Support Service
  • Brokerage Support
  • Financial Case Management
  • Living Skills Programs
  • Hospitality
  • Vocational Courses
  • Family Mediation Support
  • Computer Courses

    • As a partnering agency with the Department of Community Service, NYAS is funded under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), Brighter Futures (BF) and Out of Home Care (OOHC). SAAP is a joint State and Commonwealth Government initiative to help young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, while BF is an important component of Department of Community Service’ early intervention strategies, which aims to prevent young families escalating into child protection. Under the OOHC program, NYAS is funded to transition young people from foster care to independent living.

    NYAS also receives ongoing funding from Centrelink to provide Financial Case Management to Centrelink clients, an important strategy in preventing escalation into homelessness and aiding self-reliance.

    Over the course of it’s history, NYAS has been governed by a community based voluntary Management Committee, overseeing the work of its manager and staff.