Homeless services boost for youth on Brisbane’s northside

Homeless services for young people received a welcome boost today with the official opening of a transitional accommodation facility for young people at Northgate.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the North West Youth Accommodation Service had successfully applied to the Queensland Government for $412,452 over three years to operate the new facility, which would house up to eight people aged 16 to 21 for up to 12 months.

“The service will target young people in Brisbane’s northern suburbs who are at risk of long-term homelessness and will help them achieve stability and independence,” Mr Pitt said

“The transitional accommodation service aims to provide a roof over a young person’s head for up to 12 months while they develop the living skills to continue to live independently and avoid long-term accommodation issues.”

“The new facility is an exciting example of how the Queensland Government is directing funds to address homelessness in this state.”

The North West Youth Accommodation Service was officially opened today by Stirling Hinchliffe, the Member for Stafford and a Parliamentary Secretary to Mr Pitt.

Mr Hinchliffe said the centre would work in conjunction with two local community groups and would target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who were living in overcrowded or transient accommodation.

“As Queensland experiences unprecedented growth, this new transitional accommodation service will provide a welcome addition on Brisbane’s northside to the state’s developing homeless support system," he said.

“For the past 20 years the North West Youth Accommodation Service has been supporting and accommodating young people, and the addition of this new service will greatly enhance its ability to help some of our most vulnerable young people.”

Media contacts:
Minister's Office 3235 4280; Stirling Hinchliffe 0418 983 654