Joint statement - $1.5M to help Cairns homeless

The Queensland Government has pledged $1.5 million to MissionAustralia in a bid to help people who are experiencing homelessness in the Cairns region.

Premier Peter Beattie said the funding would allow MissionAustralia to provide 24-hour crisis accommodation support for up to 12 homeless people and help them to move to more permanent accommodation.

“This funding aims to provide a crisis accommodation service to support people in need of assistance,” Mr Beattie said.

“The Department of Communities will work closely with MissionAustralia to help homeless people while the Department of Housing locates a suitable site for the new community service in Cairns.”

Mr Beattie said the funding was part of the Responding to Homelessness package, the Queensland Government’s $235 million four-year initiative to establish new and innovative strategies to address the growing incidence of homelessness throughout the state.

Acting Communities Minister Kerry Shine said $56.45 million has been allocated over four years to the Department of Communities to establish new services to address homelessness and public space issues in key locations.

Mr Shine said MissionAustralia would receive $433,998 a year for three years along with a one-off payment of $170,000 to help single homeless people with complex needs in far north Queensland.

“The funding wiIl enable MissionAustralia to network with support agencies and ensure the best possible support and care for its clients,” he said.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280