Amy Taylor Invests $3.6 Million to Transform Home in Melbourne into Shelter for Homeless Youth
In a move as bold and unapologetic as her stage presence, Amy Taylor, frontwoman of the acclaimed punk rock band Amyl and the Sniffers, has committed $3.6 million AUD to turn a historic home in Melbourne, Australia, into a safe haven for homeless youth.
Known for her fierce lyrics and electric energy, Taylor is now channeling her influence into direct action — stepping up for those who, like her younger self, have often felt unseen by the system.
“Music gave me power, but not everyone finds that mic. Some just need a bed, a meal, and someone who believes they’re worth it,” Taylor shared in a candid statement released Tuesday.
The property, nestled on the city’s north side, will be converted into a fully staffed shelter designed to provide emergency housing, mental health support, addiction recovery services, and creative outlets for vulnerable young people. The facility will be open to youth between the ages of 14 and 24, with room to house up to 30 residents at a time.
Taylor’s project is being launched under a new charitable initiative called “Sniffers Safehouse”, which she hopes will become a model replicated in other cities across Australia.
Community leaders and youth advocates have praised the investment as “visionary” — especially as Melbourne continues to face a youth housing crisis, with thousands sleeping rough or couch surfing each year.
“Amy’s always been a voice for the misfits. Now she’s giving them a place to belong,” said one local youth worker.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with doors slated to open by mid-2026.
For Taylor, this is more than a headline — it’s a mission.
“If punk is about rebellion,” she said, “then this is the most punk thing I’ve ever done.
