MASSIVE FINANCIAL BOOST FOR SUNSHINE COAST HOMELESSNESS SERVICES

• Miles Government announces $2.5 million for an additional 20 per cent funding boost for 17 months for Sunshine Coast specialist homelessness services in the first announcement of Homes for Queenslanders
• The boost will provide more support to frontline and specialist homelessness services to provide supports such as emergency accommodation, and help for people to stay in rentals
• Close to $390 million in additional funding for homelessness responses across Queensland.

The Miles Labor Government has kicked off its bold new housing plan: Homes for Queenslanders, revealing it will dramatically increase funding for frontline specialist homelessness services across the state.

Across the Sunshine Coast, homelessness services including YOUTURN – Caloundra, Kyabra Community Association Inc – inPlace, The Salvation Army Veterans Support Program, Cornerstone Sunshine Coast and Maroochydore Shelter will receive a 20 per cent uplift in funding.

This comes after the government completes construction on new social homes in Yandina and Caloundra, purchases homes across the coast exiting the National Rental Affordability Scheme and funding for youth accommodation in Nambour.

Forming part of the forthcoming Homes for Queenslanders Plan, funding to specialist homelessness services will be boosted while an independent review of the current response is undertaken.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“I made it clear that in order to address our state’s housing needs, Homes for Queenslanders needs to address five key pillars.

“For those who fall through the cracks - we need to support our homelessness organisations so they can deliver better services and get people who are sleeping rough into crisis accommodation, and eventually into permanent places to call home.

“I have seen firsthand the conditions and living situation of Queenslanders who are struggling with the cost-of-living, which is affecting people right across the country.

“This funding will go directly to the organisations and the tireless workers at the coalface, who already know the sector and have developed programs and services to target needs.

“The Miles Labor Government is determined to provide a roof overhead for Queenslanders by partnering with our incredible specialist homelessness services who work around the clock to help people access support they need and into long term accommodation.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Meaghan Scanlon:
“Every Queenslander deserves safe, secure, and affordable housing.

“National pressures from rising interest rates and record interstate migration continue to put pressure on housing.

“This is a complex issue. We are currently experiencing significant demand on homelessness services and that’s why we are providing this additional funding.

“While we deliver our Big Housing Build, we also need to support services on the ground and that’s what this funding will do.

Quotes attributable to Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton:
“I know our region has seen an uptick in demand for homelessness services and that’s why this additional funding is really important for the Sunshine Coast.

“We’ve made huge strides with a new youth-focussed accommodation in Nambour and more social housing, but this shot in the arm means we can give families and people sleeping rough that need more immediate support.“

“Across Nicklin, this funding will support Kyabra Community Association services, Cornerstone Sunshine Coast and the Salvation Army Supported Accommodation Service.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt:
“We all know that the Sunshine Coast is an amazing place to live but that also means there is pressure on our housing market.

“That’s why our local Sunshine Coast homelessness services are so important and why we’re increasing funding to each service by 20 per cent.”

“There is no easy fix here because this is a complex issue but we are taking this decisive action because every person deserves a place to live.”