We are stepping-up Brisbane’s response to homelessness and rough sleeping by massively increasing funding for support program by $3 million over three years.
This the new funding was all about backing the fantastic organisations that are helping people out of a life on the streets.
“ We are establishing the Pathways out of Homelessness grants program and have allocated $1 million every year for the next three years to organisations and charities that are helping to tackle homelessness,” Cr Vicki Howard said.
“Brisbane is a city that cares and it’s a city with a big heart – that’s why we want to do more to support pathways out of homelessness.
“We are introducing the new Pathways out of Homelessness grant program to provide meaningful support for our most vulnerable residents, creating hope for a better future.
“This funding is in addition to the $1.8 million allocated in the 2019-20 Budget towards providing programs that offer vital support to people to help them get off the street and into employment and housing.
“Council offers many programs and supports numerous community organisations in Brisbane that can help people to find housing, take care of their health and find jobs.”
Applications for the first year of grants will be open from 30 September to 9 December and a set of eligibility guidelines will be available soon.
Not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises will be eligible and all applicants will be notified of the outcomes by mid-2020.
Cr Howard said a direction from LGIAsuper for Council to pause payments to the City Defined Benefit Fund for three years due to a surplus had allowed for the reallocation of these funds.
“Reallocating these funds to some of Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents was an easy and obvious decision,” she said.
“The State Labor Government is simply not delivering on adequate public housing and homeless residents have repeatedly told Council they are waiting on the State to help them.
“This is a serious problem and these residents need all the support they can get, and I am thrilled Council was able to invest an extra $3 million to provide meaningful support to Brisbane’s most vulnerable.”
More information at https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community-and-safety/grants-and-awards/community-grants/pathways-out-of-homelessness-grant-program
Grant boost for Homelessness
$20,000 donated to community groups battling homelessness crisis
An extra $20,000 in funding to help community groups address homelessness is being delivered by the Schrinner Council.
Funding from this year’s Housing Support Program will be shared between Communify Queensland Ltd, Village Church, Brisbane Housing Company and 139 Club Limited to help them provide additional services for those experiencing homelessness in Brisbane.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the grants will support the work these community groups undertake addressing homelessness in Brisbane.
“Rental availabilities and rising cost of living has created a perfect storm when it comes to housing affordability in Brisbane,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Breaking the cycle of homelessness is complex with many factors at play including income, health, education, employment, and social challenges.
“Even when affordable housing is secured, some people will continue to need services to support them
“These grants support not-for-profits and community organisations in developing projects that support people experiencing homelessness, or those at risk of homelessness across the city.”
Grant recipients will use these funds to help with a number of projects, from providing barista training to setting up a pop-up cafés to encourage connection and empowerment.
Cr Schrinner said the grants program was just one part of Council’s commitment to addressing homelessness across the city.
“The levels of homelessness we are currently experiencing needs real solutions, and Council is doing all we can to help,” he said.
“Our Housing Supply Action Plan outlines financial incentives to deliver more homes sooner in higher density zones.
“We will also continue to host Homeless Connect events, which have helped more than 20,000 residents access essential services since it began in 2006.
“The Housing Support Program will work in lock step with various other measures to support our most vulnerable residents in having a roof over their heads.”
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘Housing Support Program’.
BACKGROUND:
2023-24 Housing Support Program grant recipients
| Recipient | Project | Description | Suburb | Grant Amount |
| Communify Queensland Ltd | Stay in Touch
|
The project will provide material aid in the form of phones, and digital devices to households at the beginning of their tenancies to assist with digital inclusion and communication. The mobile support team from HART4000 (Communify) will provide ongoing tenancy support and outreach to the household, ensuring the longevity and success of new tenancies. | Fortitude Valley | $9089.60 |
| Village Church | Pop in Café | The project will provide a weekly pop in cafe that will focus on connection, empowerment, life skills, employability and social inclusion. | Spring Hill | $4000 |
| Brisbane Housing Company Ltd | Coffee Connections: Skills 4 Work Project | The project will provide barista training to vulnerable boarding room and community housing residents who currently have limited access to employment, training and participation opportunities in the community. The project will focus strongly on nurturing hospitality and customer service soft skills. | Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill, Bowen Hills | $4800 |
| 139 Club Limited trading as 3rd Space | Practical Help Program 2023-24 | The project will provide practical financial support to assist vulnerable people with sustaining their tenancies. | Fortitude Valley | $3450.40
|
Homeless initiatives
I am proud that my Communities portfolio leads Brisbane City Council’s response to addressing homelessness through a number of services and projects.
- Homeless Connect
- Public Space Liaison Officers
- Essential Contacts Guide
- Red Cross Night Cafe
- Community Housing Partnership Project
- Pathways out of Homelessness
- Housing Support Program
- Housing and homelessness strategy
Sadly the 2016 census reported 5813 people homeless in Brisbane.
This figure is based on a broad definition of the term ‘homeless’ and includes
- rough sleepers,
- people who are couch surfing and people living in cars,
- crisis accommodation and boarding houses.
Homeless Connect
Homeless Connect brings together businesses, community groups and government organisations to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ of free services for people experiencing homelessness. Support includes:
- housing referrals
- medical support
- legal advice
- haircuts
- food, toiletries and clothing.
Public Space Liaison Officers
Council’s Public Space Liaison Officers (PSLOs) act as the first point of contact between Council and people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness by engaging with these residents and linking them with support services.
Our PSLOs work with the agencies who are supposed to house and look after the homeless, i.e, the Queensland’s Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy and non-government organisations that support homeless people in Brisbane.
Several agencies work with ‘rough sleepers’, including Micah Projects Incorporated, Footprints, HART 4000, Brisbane Youth Service, Homeless Health Outreach Team, 3rd Space, the Salvation Army and Vinnies around Central Ward.
PSLOs also provide people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness with an Essential Contacts Guide (ECG) that lists useful contact numbers for vital services in Brisbane including food and welfare, children and youth, legal issues, health and more.
Essential Contacts Guide
The Essential Contacts Guide (ECG) is a pocket-sized guide that provides contact details for emergency support. The ECG is distributed to community organisations, service providers and QPS officers who provide assistance to people experiencing homelessness and people requiring emergency support across Brisbane.
Download the:
Red Cross Night Cafe
Council supports the Red Cross Night Cafe, which was opened by the Australian Red Cross in Brisbane City Hall in 2001. The cafe provides Brisbane’s homeless and disadvantaged young people with free meals and access to showers, toilets, health and legal advice two nights per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). The cafe also runs workshops and arts-based activities.
The cafe is located on the basement level of Brisbane City Hall, with access via the exterior door on the Adelaide Street side of the building.
Community Housing Partnership Project
The Community Housing Partnership Project (CHPP) provides crisis and transitional accommodation to people experiencing homelessness in Brisbane and those at risk of homelessness.
Since 2003, Council’s CHPP has supported more than 1,510 people by releasing properties that are either resumed or held by Council for future infrastructure projects to approved community housing providers for transitional housing.
Pathways out of Homelessness
The Pathways out of Homelessness grant program provides multi-year funding for up to three years to Brisbane-based organisations to bolster sector capacity, collaboration, innovation and demonstrated outcomes in supporting Brisbane residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness to achieve sustainable tenancies. The program also funds enhancements to existing programs that support pathways out of homelessness.
Housing Support Program
The Housing Support Program provides funding to community organisations for projects or services that respond to the housing and social needs of homeless people, or those living in social housing.
Housing and homelessness strategy
In March 2023, Council released Brisbane’s Sustainable Growth Strategy, our housing and homelessness strategy, outlining initiatives to address the challenges of population growth and changing housing needs.
Addressing homelessness is an increasing challenge for our city and housing is the preferred long-term solution to reducing homelessness.
Council recognises its limited role in this space – Local Government is not the level of government that builds homes.
The Australian Government provides funding for housing and homelessness service provision to all states and territories.
The Queensland Government provides funding for
- social housing,
- homelessness service provision,
- domestic and family violence responses,
- health,
- policing, and
- implementation of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017–2027.
The role of Council and other local governments across Australia typically includes:
• responding to homelessness through the management of public space
• planning of private and public space
• support for affordable housing
• advocacy to other levels of government.
Council recognises its role as an advocate to encourage the Queensland Government and Australian Government to commit to fund the construction of more social and affordable homes in Brisbane.
The Queensland Audit Office identified that in March 2022, there were almost 31,000 households – approximately 50,000 individuals – on the social housing register, an increase of 78% over the previous four years. It identified that our state will need more than the 7400 social homes planned to meet this demand.
The Queensland Government is responsible for the provision of social housing and is seeking to introduce homes to address an identified housing need. Council is creating opportunities to increase affordable housing options across the city through the planning framework.
More information
For more information on Council’s support for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask to speak with the Safe Communities team.
You can also contact Council via:
- the National Relay Service (including video and Auslan relay)
- by phoning Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.