Ladder, a housing and support service for youth at risk of homelessness has launched it's new building, situated in inner Melbourne.

By focusing on supporting homeless youth by providing a stable living environment, social and emotional support, vocational training, health and fitness, and pathways to independent living, Ladder will harness the collective power of the AFL industry to help tackle youth homelessness.

A creation of the AFL Players' Association and the AFL Foundation, a crucial part of the Ladder initiative will see a mentoring program involving AFL players (past and present) and elite female athletes from several sporting codes. 

Past and present AFL players will also be leading activities other than mentoring, which is based on their off-field interests and qualifications, eg, running fitness programs and cooking/nutrition programs.

Businesses are also encouraged to get involved in supporting Ladder via donations, traineeships, and running programs and information seminars for residents about their industry

Ladder was developed through the assistance of the Victorian Government's Department of Human Services (DHS), whose support in the development of the original concept for Ladder has been a critical contribution to establishing this program in Victoria and nationally.

On any one night more than 20,500 Victorians are homeless, with about one-third of those people being children:12% under 12 years of age, and 21% from 12 to 18 years old. 

Source: Counting the Homeless, 2006, Chamberlain, C; MacKenzie, D; Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University