- Family finds support for a brighter Christmas
- How to access homelessness services through Christmas and New Year
- 20 per cent uplift for specialist homelessness services until 2027-28
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Queenslanders experiencing or at risk of homelessness are reminded that government-funded support services are operating throughout the festive period.
Specialist Homeless Services, Homelessness Hotline and 13 GOV will be available to provide immediate support to those experiencing homelessness.
The Queensland Government is also providing a 20 per cent uplift in funding for Specialist Homelessness Services to ensure critical services can meet demand.
Housing Minister Sam O'Connor encouraged those needing assistance to reach out.
"Every day front-line staff are on the ground helping people like Graham and Edward," Minister O'Connor said.
"Maree, from the Department's Critical Response Team, recently met Graham and his family when they were living in a tent in a south-east Queensland park.
"Maree immediately provided the family with crisis accommodation and linked them with one of our partner organisations for support.''
Graham said the continuing support meant he was hopeful of upskilling, gaining a full-time job and securing a rental home in time for the new school year.
"It has been a long time since someone cared enough to take our situation seriously and be able to provide something meaningful to give me a chance to go back to being able to provide for our kids,'' he said.
"Just getting the opportunity to have basic stability and knowing the kids are safe, we are so much more optimistic. From day one and continuing, we are very thankful for the help.''
Minister O'Connor said building more social and affordable housing to help vulnerable Queenslanders was a key priority for the government.
"People like Edward, who after nearly 20 years rough sleeping, recently became the first tenant to move into one of 18 new social homes at Yorkey's Knob near Cairns,'' he said.
Edward has decorated his unit with a collection of pot plants to make it feel like the outdoors he's always known.
"I'm less comfortable indoors than what I was out there, but I've only got one toe left out of 10. I have to go to hospital occasionally, and I can't walk too far,'' he said.
"The best thing here though is that I can fall asleep whenever I want."
For support during the holiday period, the 24-hour homelessness hotline is the best place to start by phoning 1800 474 753.
- For urgent housing support, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
- For the Homelessness Hotline, call 1800 474 753.
- Housing Service Centres will be closed from 4:30pm, Tuesday 24 December 2024 and re-open at 8:30am, Thursday 2 January 2025.
- For emergency maintenance, call 1800 808 107, for self-service, visit www.qld.gov.au/tenantselfservice .
