Government boost for Orange Sky Headquarters of the Future

• Miles Government commits $3 million to build the Orange Sky Headquarters of the Future.
• Orange Sky provides free mobile laundry and shower services, as well as a safe and supportive environment for people experiencing homelessness, hardship and social isolation
• The national not-for-profit currently supports 14 Queensland communities, with plans to continue expanding across the state to meet growing need.

Premier Steven Miles has announced a $3 million contribution towards a home base for a national not-for-profit delivering vital support to Queenslanders experiencing homelessness, hardship and social isolation.

The new headquarters will serve as an international hub for operations across Australia and New Zealand.

The location will be where vans and pods are built, 3500 volunteers are supported, all research and development is conducted and will ultimately enable Orange Sky to further expand in Queensland. 

The $3 million commitment will cover approximately half of the estimated cost of the purchase and fit out of the future headquarters.

Orange Sky provides free mobile laundry and shower services in 14 communities across the state, with plans to expand to more areas in response to growing need amid national cost of living pressures.

The not-for-profit organisation also responds to natural disasters, providing rapid support to displaced families, including those affected by the recent Tara bushfires and has responded to cyclones, floods and fires since 2015.

A location for the headquarters will be finalised in partnership with Orange Sky. 

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“We know how important the work Orange Sky is for Queenslanders doing it tough.

“I want every Queenslander who is sleeping rough, struggling to pay the rent or get into the housing market to know that my Government is on your side.

“This $3 million contribution will secure the future of Orange Sky enable an expansion of their operations here in Australia and New Zealand. 

“This is a not-for-profit delivering an essential service for those in need – something my government backs all the way.

“We will continue to work with organisations, councils and industry to ensure every Queenslander has ana place to call home and access to the services they need.” 

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon: 

“Together with organisations like Orange Sky, we’re helping Queenslanders doing it tough with the support they need to get back on their feet.

“As we deliver our build social housing build we’re also taking immediate action for people at risk of homelessness purchasing hotels and motels and funding non-government organisations to provide emergency accommodation.

“Last year, we provided 1.6 million nights of emergency accommodation and we’ve boosted funding this year.”

Quotes attributable to Lucas Patchett, CEO and Co-Founder, Orange Sky:

“As the cost of living continues to rise, more and more Queenslanders are seeking support and connection. 

“This year, Orange Sky has helped more people than ever before.

“We have facilitated more than 86,400 loads of washing, 8,200 showers and 84,500 hours of conversation, more than a third of which have taken place in Queensland from the Gold Coast to the Cape and many locations in between. 

“Our unique service model allows us to not only support the physical wellbeing of those doing it tough, but to also address the deep and complex problem of social isolation and loneliness, which in turn can lead to poor physical and mental health and other challenges. 

“We are incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government for helping to make our vision for the future a reality, so that we can support more Queenslanders through homelessness, sudden hardship due to disaster and remote health challenges in the years to come.”

Further information:

• Orange Sky operates 66 services in 43 locations across Australia and New Zealand, delivering more than 1,800, loads of washing, 171showers and 1,760hours of conversation every week.
• Each week, over 3500 Orange Sky volunteers give their time to positively connect with some of the 122,494 Australians experiencing homelessness and many more who are doing it tough.
• In Queensland, Orange Sky operates in 14 communities: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Dalby, Toowoomba, Palm Island, Lockhart River, Doomadgee and Aurukun with further expansion in to Queensland communities in 2024
• The charity provides free mobile laundry and shower services via vans, trucks and pods. 
• For more information about Orange Sky and to support people doing it tough these holidays, visit orangesky.org.au.

ENDS

Media Contact: Amy Hunter - 0423 651 484