Published Today at 10:45 AM
Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth
The Honourable Sam O'Connor
37 Supported Accommodation projects to break the cycle of homelessness
- Crisafulli Government is delivering 37 new Supported Accommodation projects across Queensland.
- Over 600 more places for vulnerable Queenslanders statewide to support families, young people and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, helping them find and maintain stable housing.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering more places to call home for vulnerable Queenslanders after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering 37 new Supported Accommodation projects across Queensland, helping more vulnerable Queenslanders find a place to call home and break the cycle of homelessness.
The Supported Accommodation projects will provide a safe place to stay with services funding for 24/7 onsite specialist support to help vulnerable Queenslanders need to get back on their feet, move towards a permanent home and avoid returning to homelessness.
This is an important step in delivering our A Place to Call Home plan and addressing a critical gap in Queensland’s homelessness response left by the former Labor Government.
The former Labor Government failed to deliver a solution to support complex homelessness, instead relying on inappropriate lodging in hotels and motels.
The statewide rollout includes 20 projects supporting individuals, nine projects for families and eight projects supporting young people and is expected to provide more than 600 accommodation places.
Construction on several of the projects has commenced with completions forecast from 2028, building on the 39 places of Supported Accommodation delivered by the Crisafulli Government since November 2024.
The new Supported Accommodation program delivers a missing link in tackling complex homelessness, acting on years of calls from frontline organisations for supported accommodation that bridges the gap between sleeping rough and having a permanent place to call home.
Community organisations like Emmanuel City Mission (ECM) and GIVIT are playing an important role in helping Queenslanders move off the streets and into stable accommodation.
GIVIT works with 636 community partners across Queensland and has facilitated $5.3 million worth of donated goods for Queenslanders experiencing homelessness or insecure housing.
The charity currently has almost 6,000 requests for essential goods and services from Queenslanders experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, highlighting the ongoing importance of practical support to maintain tenancies.
On top of the new Supported Accommodation program, ECM are being supported by the Crisafulli Government to establish Brisbane’s first Night Sanctuary, 110 crisis accommodation beds with 24/7 support onsite for vulnerable Queenslanders.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said the Crisafulli Government was focused on delivering new models of housing to give tailored support and a safer pathway forward.
“Our most vulnerable Queenslanders deserve longer-term sustainable and stable accommodation, specialist support and a genuine pathway towards a permanent home," Minister O'Connor said.
“Just putting people in inappropriate hotels and motels for months or even years on end and thinking the job was done like Labor did was never the answer so we’re moving away from that failed approach and investing in these 37 new Supported Accommodation projects right across Queensland.
“A roof over someone’s head is only the start so we’re putting the right support around people to help them get back on their feet and into longer-term housing.
“Every Queenslander deserves a place to call home, and we’re determined to give more people that opportunity with these Support Accomodation projects for the young people, families and individuals who need them.”
QShelter CEO Fiona Caniglia welcomed the Crisafulli Government’s investment in supported accommodation as an important step towards breaking the cycle of homelessness.
“For people experiencing homelessness, having a safe place to stay and the right support together can make a lasting difference, and Q Shelter commends the Crisafulli Government for this landmark commitment to supported accommodation,” Ms Caniglia said.
“These 37 Supported Accommodation projects will help fill a critical gap, providing young people, families and individuals with stability and specialist support while they work towards a permanent home.
“They also create opportunities for local Specialist Homelessness Services to operate these sites and integrate them with their existing services, building on their strong community connections and local expertise.
“As part of the commitment to deliver more social and affordable housing, supported accommodation is an essential part of helping people move out of homelessness and stay housed.”
Ethan said Emmanuel City Mission has always been so much more than a service, it's a community that welcomed me with open arms and stood beside me through some of the hardest moments of my life.
“Without ECM, life on the streets would've been brutal, but their compassion, sense of community and unwavering support helped me find my faith, overcome struggles with addiction, and begin rebuilding my life," Ethan said.
“Together with GIVIT, who helped me turn my accommodation into a proper home, that support has given me the stability to return to employment and pursue further study, finally allowing me to build the foundations of my future on solid ground instead of sand and water.
“To everyone at ECM and GIVIT who has walked alongside me throughout this journey, I want them to know that their kindness, compassion and belief in me have changed my life in ways I never imagined possible, and my gratitude goes far beyond what words could ever express."
Glen Brennan from Emmanuel City Mission (ECM) said ECM, a Catholic Christian mission in South Brisbane supporting people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and vulnerability, opens seven days a week, welcoming up to 250–300 visitors daily, offering practical care, dignity, connection and hope.
“It has been an honour to walk alongside Ethan Shrubb. Ethan’s journey reflects the hope at the heart of ECM. Through practical assistance, genuine relationship and daily encouragement, ECM walks alongside the likes of Ethan as they pursue rehabilitation, renewed purpose and lasting transformation.”
Nick Waring, GIVIT Queensland Manager said maintaining stable housing often comes down to having access to the everyday essentials many of us take for granted.
“By partnering with government and frontline services, GIVIT can understand exactly what people need to remain safely housed, then mobilise our community, corporate and donor networks to deliver practical support where it’s needed most, said Mr Waring.
“Homelessness and insecure housing is one of the largest categories on GIVIT of unmet needs, with demand consistently exceeding available support.
“Small donations can have a big impact on someone doing it tough, a laptop means they can look for work, a fridge means they can cook their own meals, these practical items can make a big difference between staying housed or losing a tenancy.”
For more information on the Crisafulli Government’s Supported Accommodation program visit http://housing.qld.gov.au/initiatives/supported-accommodation
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Caet Young 0427 939 326