New Fund puts dignity first for homeless

Published Sunday, 31 July, 2016 at 12:45 PM

Minister for Housing and Public Works
The Honourable Mick de Brenni

The Palaszczuk Government has launched a new $2 million fund to encourage new services that help meet the immediate day to day needs of the state’s homeless.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni was joined by Orange Sky Laundry CEO Jo Westh to announce the new Dignity First Fund.

“If you’re living on the streets simple things can make a real difference,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Groups like Orange Sky Laundry are doing fantastic work across the state to give real practical assistance to help people survive homelessness with dignity.

“The Dignity First Fund will enable innovative programs like this to expand their work, and help seed new projects that provide dignity to people who are homeless.

“The importance of these types of services became clear to me when I met a man called Lawrence who was living on the street in Brisbane.

“When I asked him what would make the biggest difference for him right now he didn’t ask for food or money, he asked for a clean change of underwear.”

Mr de Brenni said this experience highlighted to him that government had a role to play in supporting services that promote the immediate dignity of people who are homeless.

“Last year we funded 127 organisations to provide 218 specialist homelessness services across Queensland,” he said.

“We’re providing homeless people with the same opportunities that most of us take for granted, and the essentials of life that we all need for dignity and self-respect.”

The Dignity First Fund complements the $152.6 million that the Government will spend on traditional homelessness services this year.

Applications for Dignity First funds will be open until 30 September. Information is available on the Department of Housing and Public Works website at www.hpw.qld.gov.au/DignityFirst.

 

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