Homelessness Funding Surge For Support Services

By Amanda Wright

In response to the rapidly accelerating homelessness crisis, the Queensland Government has launched a new housing plan: Homes for Queenslanders, revealing it will dramatically increase funding for homelessness responses across the state.

Premier Steven Miles made the announcement last week, saying “everyone deserves a place to call home, a place they feel safe and warm.”

Organisations who help Queenslanders experiencing homelessness will receive a 20 per cent increase for the next 18 months to meet demand for frontline and specialist homelessness services as part of an almost $390 million increase in funding for homelessness support.

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said that it’s heartbreaking to know some Queenslanders are forced to sleep rough, or are facing the threat of homelessness.

“Queenslanders don’t just walk by when people need help, which is why our government is stepping up when more assistance is required.”

In addition to a boost in funding, an independent review will also take place of the whole homelessness service system.

The Review will assess the effectiveness of Queensland’s current response to homelessness and opportunities for improvement, including for people living in urban, rural, regional and remote Queensland.

The independent reviewer will be Ms Rachel Hunter PSM.

Ms Hunter has been selected for her extensive experience in senior government roles and passion in the homelessness service space.

Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert, spent time delivering the news to organisations in Mackay who deliver emergency assistance to those facing homelessness.

“William Stafford Manager of CASA Services in Mackay was delighted to hear of the latest funding which will enable CASA to continue their ongoing short term supported accommodation, emergency and other homelessness relief work,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“I also caught up with Louise O’Brien at Kalyan Youth Services, a not-for-profit community organisation who have been supporting young people in Mackay region since 1985, providing crisis accommodation and support to young people 16 – 25 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“They can provide the shelter and support you need to live comfortably, move into housing, and move on with your life.”

Mrs Gilbert also visited Lowanna House.

“They were excited to be able to continue providing supported emergency accommodation for single women at the single women's shelter and also a family house for women with accompanying children, they said it was very timely as there is an ever-increasing demand for homelessness services, to an increasingly complex cohort,” she said.

“This funding will provide a huge relief for Lowanna House in a time of significantly increased living costs and to provide greater support to homeless clients.”

Premier Miles added, “this funding will go directly to the organisations and the tireless workers at the coalface, who already know the sector and have developed programs and services to target needs.

“For those who fall through the cracks - we need to support our homelessness organisations so they can deliver better services and get people who are sleeping rough into crisis accommodation, and eventually into permanent places to call home.”

Captions

L – R: Kathy Cave, Lowanna House Manager, Julieanne Gilbert Member for Mackay, Deb Rae, Lowanna House Chairperson

2 casa

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert and William Stafford CASA Manager Mackay

3 Kalyan

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert and Kalyan Youth Services Manager Louise O’Brien

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