GOTAFE has secured $13.3 million of State Government funding that will enable the beginning of works for the "game changing" Education First Youth Foyer build near its Wangaratta campus.

In collaboration with NESAY, Uniting Victoria and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, GOTAFE's new Wangaratta education foyer will combine affordable medium–term accommodation with education and training, empowering young people aged 15 to 24 at risk of homelessness to complete their studies and successfully transition from school into work.

While living at the youth foyer, young people will be supported to undertake education, training and employment to expand their capabilities.

The 40–room youth foyer will be situated right next to the GOTAFE's Docker Street campus, near the corner of Norton Street, to give residents easy access to the education site and the Wangaratta CBD.

Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes said at the official announcement at GOTAFE on Wednesday, the youth foyer will provide opportunities for young people in the region they would never have had before.

"It's so exciting, we are addressing a need that exists, there are so many young people living in housing they shouldn't be, couch surfing, subjected to family violence or a range of issues," Ms Symes said.

"It's about responding to the underlying issues of generational vulnerabilities, having a safe house that has the support to enable young people to have an education and create opportunities and pathways for them.

"This is why not only is the foyer model a place to lay your head at night, it has support services in place for people who have probably not had the best start in life, the reason they are probably experiencing homelessness is because their family life is not stable, it could be unsafe.

"For them to have the opportunity to get the support they need, get into education and break that cycle of generational disadvantage which is so common in a lot of regional areas, it's a game changer."

Residents will be able to stay at the youth foyer for a maximum of two years, acting as a start of building independence skills before aiding students into the next stage of their lives and accepting new youth foyer residents.

GOTAFE chief executive officer Travis Heeney said with the youth foyer build in Wodonga also funded, it will provide the entire region with much sought after education and accommodation pathways for youth in the North East.

"If nothing else it's about setting people up with just basic life skills..at the minimum that's what we expect people to do, and we have people doing a diploma of nursing, bachelor degrees... and we've got such a shortage in so many career paths," he said.

"They don't have to be sleeping in parks because they have nowhere else to go, they'll be prioritised and triaged in by experts and it's a game changer for those people.

"Those service providers are making sure post youth foyer that they're set up well, and that's what makes you really proud, when they move out and move into their own rental, it's phenomenal."

Ms Symes said the youth foyer model is based on foyers built similar to the Shepparton model, which has been in operation for the past five years.

"I know the ones I've met, once they (students) get the opportunity, they don't waste it," she said.

"They want the opportunity and not having the distraction or the obligation of trying to navigate housing on your own, that takes away focus on your opportunities to choose a pathway, to choose a course, it's the last thing on their mind.

"Taking that pressure away and enabling them to think about their future and where they want to be when they grow up is amazing, we should be doing that, we should be doing more."

Mr Heeney said works to begin the build are "imminent" this year.

"We've got the site ready to go; and it's expected construction to start in December this year," he said.

"We've got the youth support from NESAY, we've got Uniting as a housing provider to make sure there's opportunities for students after staying at the foyer and they're also going to be in town so they can live their lives and enjoy everything the town has to offer.

"And on campus, the reality is they can study with us here and literally just walk back home."

The State Government announced on Monday its overall $50 million investment will be shared between eight registered housing providers to fund 10 new housing projects across the state.

To find out more about the EFYF project, you can visit GOTAFE's website via the link: gotafe.vic.edu.au.