Dignity First Fund to give North Queenslanders a helping hand

Queenslanders in Townsville and Ayr have been provided pathways out of homelessness with funding from round three of the $2.5 million Dignity First Fund.

A Drop-in centre for people experiencing homelessness in Ayr and ‘set-up packs’ for young people at risk of homelessness have both received funding through the Palaszczuk Government’s Dignity First Fund totalling more than $128,000.

The purpose of the Fund is to seek new and innovative ideas from non-government providers that aim to prevent and reduce homelessness and assist people experiencing homelessness to live with dignity.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the $15,660 received by St Vincent de Paul Society in Townsville was giving young people a helping hand as they transitioned into housing.

“When you move into a house for the first time being able to cover the cost of furniture and white goods is a huge part of the process – and often out of reach for young people transitioning out of homelessness,” Mr Stewart said.

“This type of assistance provides young people with the safety and security of a place that is not just a roof over their head, but somewhere they can truly call home.”

Vinnies Townsville region Executive Officer Edwina Wagland said Dignity First was helping young people - aged under 25 - transition into stable accommodation after being assisted by Vinnies.

“These young people are clients of our Youth Homelessness Service who are now ready to take on the challenges of setting up their own places,” Ms Wagland said.

“Often the cost of setting up a home is beyond their means and this funding will enable us to help them with essential items such as fridges, mattresses and washing machines.”

“The successful Dignity First applicants are providing a range of services to people in need of a helping hand, particularly to young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.”

Butterfly Lodge CEO Ms Christine Monday said the funding of $113,266 for upgrades to facilities had been a welcome addition to support services in the Ayr community. 

“The funding has already paid for upgrades to the showers and bathroom, and will soon also pay for upgrades to the kitchen and laundry so people will be able to drop in for a meal, have a shower and do their washing,” Ms Monday said. 

“For people who are homeless, having somewhere to go where they know they will be welcomed and have these facilities available is a wonderful comfort. 

“It gives them reassurance that people care and it can help restore their dignity.”

Minister for Housing and Public works Mick de Brenni said Dignity First Funding was established in 2016 to provide localised, people centric support, and was essential to providing Queenslanders with housing security.

“Labor believes that having a safe, secure, sustainable place to call home, is essential to holding down a job,” Mr de Brenni said.

“There are many different reasons why a someone my find it difficult to get into or hold down a tenancy, and the Palaszczuk Government is making sure we have wrap around services to suit every need.”

“We are providing funding for a range of important projects – mobile outreach services, food trucks, community kitchen upgrades, drop-in centres and backpacks containing essential supplies, to name a few.”

The 19/20 Palaszczuk Government Budget commits a further $40 million to homelessness support, bringing the total funding for homelessness in Queensland to $180 million. Round Four will more than double the number of services funded from 40 in Round Three to 87 in Round Four.

For more information, please visit www.hpw.qld.gov.au/DignityFirst

ENDS

Media contact: Rosie Gilbert: 0466 834 330