Minister for Community Services Joy Burch today officially launched 'Take Hold' - a new ACT Government-funded program to combat youth homelessness in the nation's capital.

Ms Burch said the Ted Noffs Foundation is the provider for the mentoring, life skills and social enterprise service under the new Youth Housing and Homelessness Service model.

"Take Hold is an exciting addition to the new suite of youth housing and homelessness services in the ACT and the program will contribute to breaking the cycle of homeless through providing valuable life training skills to young people," Ms Burch said.

 "I am very pleased about the ACT Government's partnership with the Ted Noffs Foundation which today continues the legacy of Ted Noffs himself by providing essential services for young people and their families who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems, and related trauma.

"Through Take Hold, the organisation has expanded its scope to provide support to young people experiencing homelessness in the ACT."

Take Hold coordinates an annual social enterprise seed funding program to assist young people, and youth homelessness services, in establishing micro businesses and programs that aim to develop work skills and employment opportunities for young people.

"Take Hold works in partnership with youth homelessness accommodation services to ensure that young people develop skills to maintain their tenancies, increase their independence and break the cycle of homelessness.

"This program will contribute to the targets outlined in the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness, including increasing the number of young people to maintain education if they become homeless."