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February 2025
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A First for Queensland’s Young People
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Anglicare SQ celebrated the turning of the sod today for their new build for homeless young people in the region. The site is 3 stories high and will accommodate up to 42 young people with concierge access in 30 units, including studio and family apartments. The crisis intake, fully supported housing first program will operate similar to St Johns Youth 110 model in Adelaide. It marks the first of its kind in Queensland and a very exciting step forward for housing opportunities for young people who are experiencing homelessness in the Brisbane, Beenleigh, Logan areas.
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Assistant Housing Minister Rebecca Young and Shadow Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon were in attendance to celebrate this milestone event. The program is expected to open mid-2026. Congratulations Anglicare SQ.
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This is a very exciting initiative for young people!
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From little things big things grow
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Congratulations South Burnett CTC and Property Industry Foundation on Haven House Kingaroy!
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Who knew that a QYHC shout out at our SYHS monthly meeting would lead to this fabulous outcome for Kingaroy! A follow up chat between Antoinette (PIF), Kirsten (SBCTC) and Lorraine (QYHC) set the wheels in motion for a fabulous partnership and new build for young people in the South Burnett.
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Thanks to PIF and the wonderful dedication and generosity of their building industry experts, this stunning new duplex is now fully operational for young people. Operated by South Burnett CTC’s Specialist Youth Homelessness Service, management and staff are delighted to have Haven House. As Kirsten said – It’s lovely to have new housing stock to add to the offerings for young people. Great for young people and young families too!
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The youth homelessness campaign event of the year!
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YHMD – A National Call to Action
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QYHC is a proud member of the National Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) Campaign. A day to highlight what we all know - youth homelessness matters every day!
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With Yfoundations at the helm and in partnership with Property Industry Foundation (PIF) and Unltd, 2025 is set to be our biggest yet! YHMD 2025 will have a national 2-part campaign that will raise awareness around the issue of youth homelessness and help services raise much needed funds.
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For more information and to register for donations contact Sam Woods – the YHMD Campaign Manager on 0419 259 371 or sam@yfoundations.org.au
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24/7 Intake Immediate Supported Accommodation sites
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An exciting addition to Specialist Youth Homelessness Service responses!
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As a part of Towards Ending Homelessness for Young Queenslanders 2022-2027, 5 Immediate Supported Accommodation (ISA) services were funded to enhance service delivery and address regional needs. The funding enables:
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- 24/7 on-site support with two workers available during peak service times.
- 24/7 intake services for improved accessibility.
- Increased capacity to support young people with multiple and/or diverse needs.
These programs are located in the regions of Cairns, Logan, Mount Isa, Moreton Bay, and Rockhampton. In Cairns, where two ISAs operate, each site continues to have a single overnight worker and does not offer 24/7 intake services.
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Young people can contact these services for support at any time on the numbers below:
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Insync Beenleigh, Anglicare SQ: (07) 3386 2000
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Mithangkaya Nguli – Young People Ahead – Mt Isa: (07) 4749 0840
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Darumbul – Rockhampton: (07) 4927 5715
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IFYS – Caboolture: (07) 5438 3000
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Anglicare North Queensland, Cairns: St Margaret’s – (07) 4033 2678; St John’s – (07) 4032 4971
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Important Housing Products for young people
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Homes for Queenslanders
Youth Subsidy for Community Housing Providers.
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This initiative, part of the Homes for Queenslanders plan, helps eligible young people aged 16 to 25 secure a home.
The Youth Subsidy is available for registered community housing providers to find more opportunities for young people to move out of crisis accommodation into long-term, stable housing.
Read more about the Youth Subsidy here.
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You can read more updates here.
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Renters Relief Package
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Through Homes for Queenslanders, the Queensland Government is further supporting renters to find, get and keep a rental home.
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The Renters Relief Package has expanded eligibility for a range of products and services to help customers find and apply for a place to rent, help to get a rental, and help to keep their place if they’re having financial difficulties. This expanded eligibility means that income limits have increased so more Queenslanders can access renting assistance.
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- For more information visit The QLD government website here
- Or get in touch with your local Housing Service Centre Contact here
- People who need housing help can go to qld.gov.au/housinghelp, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or the Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.
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Youth Housing Essentials supports young people (25 and under), who are transitioning from government services. It offers short-term, practical, tailored brokerage assistance of up to $5,000 per household to address their essential housing needs.
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It provides access to essential goods and services that are necessary for securing and maintaining housing, such as:
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- furniture, fridge, washing machine and other essential home items
- education or work necessities, such as school stationery and work clothing
- transport and moving costs, such as vehicle registration, Go Cards, removalists and identification
- mobile phone and prepaid phone credit.
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To access Youth Housing Essentials, a young person must be supported by a service provider, support agency or Housing Service Centre – young people are not able to apply for the funding without support.
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Youth Housing essentials can be used in conjunction with other departmental products and services. As an organisation, supporting eligible young people, you can apply for this assistance on behalf of any young people you support who are transitioning from services, such as:
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- living in care (child safety)
- youth justice
- corrections
- temporary supported accommodation
- youth foyers.
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April 6-12 is Youth Week
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Queensland Youth Week (QYW) is a statewide celebration of young people aged 12–25 and their contributions to their communities and Queensland.
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We’re inviting individuals, community groups, schools, and organisations to host events or activities that celebrates young Queenslanders’ incredible achievements.
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Hosting an event is a great way to:
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- showcase the talents and achievements of young Queenslanders
- foster connection, learning, and collaboration within your community
- celebrate and support the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
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Home Time is an important national campaign focused on increasing housing and support options for young people across the country. QYHC is a member of Home Time. We urge you to sign up too if you haven’t already. The plan is to:
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- Develop and maintain a national pool of 15,000 dedicated youth tenancies for 16-24 year olds.
- Provide linked support services so young people can pursue their goals and transition to independence.
- Address the rental gap to ensure viability for housing providers and landlords offering tenancies to young people who have been homeless.
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Watch Home Time’s campaign video here.
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Homelessness Australia Conference on the Gold Coast
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Researchers, government and non-government organisations, policy makers and young people from around Australia will join in sharing research, policy and practice wisdom, including many informative sessions for the youth sector. The conference is 17th and 18th June. Read more here.
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Book before 7 March and save $300 off the
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2-day conference. Register here.
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Logan’s new Youth Centre is open!
Logan's first dedicated youth space, the Wilbur Street Youth Centre, is open for business with a huge array of activities for young people. With Rekon Youth at the helm, this Council-owned facility is located next to the Logan Central Library.
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The centre features a range of spaces including a 'hang-out' zone, indoor multi-purpose court, quiet room, rehearsal studio, dedicated First Nations space, creative maker space, technology space, commercial kitchen, laundry, and other amenities. Read more here.
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Help AIFS build an understanding of the use of IPV by young people
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This project seeks to explore how young people's use of intimate partner violence (IPV) differs from adult-perpetrated violence and examines the responses of services and agencies across Australia to this issue.
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If you wish to contribute to this important national response, please review the participant information sheet and complete the survey here.
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REPORTS, ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS
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The Right to Housing in Australia
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This report begins with the premise that housing provides and protects some of our most fundamental human needs. Too many Australians live in unsafe or insecure housing. Violence in the home is the number one reason for homelessness for women and children.
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The report notes the necessity to enshrine a right to housing as a human right in Australian law. Recognising a right to housing acknowledges and protects the importance of housing to safety, dignity, privacy and autonomy. It recognises housing’s role in providing the material goods that make these things possible, and its inclusion in our laws can lead to a fairer and more equal Australia now and into the future. Read more here here.
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First Nation’s Housing Crisis
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This research provides the first comprehensive review of First Nations housing governance, resources and regulation in Australia, and an up-to-date assessment of their unmet housing needs. Read more here.
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The role of adverse childhood experiences in adolescent use of violence
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There is a strong correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the use of violence in adolescents and young people.
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This paper explores the underlying factors linked to young people's use of violence, emphasising the need for early interventions to address their needs and mitigate the likelihood of violent behaviour.
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This strategy outlines a comprehensive approach involving the entire government and community to incorporate trauma-informed practices throughout Queensland. Over the next five years, it aims to foster optimal conditions for individuals, families, caregivers, and communities to access the right support as early as possible. Read here.
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Social Justice in 2025
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SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AUSTRALIA IN 2025
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In 2021 we heard a sense of helplessness about addressing social injustice. This year there was also an overwhelming sense of urgency in response to perceived governmental inaction - many respondents left messages calling on decision-makers to put politics aside and prioritise action. Read more here.
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AIHW - Health of people experiencing homelessness
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There is growing research on the impact of insecure housing on the health of individuals and the associated costs to the health system.
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Meeting basic physical needs such as food, water and a place to sleep can be the most important day-to-day priority for people experiencing homelessness, especially those rough sleeping. Health needs are often not addressed until an emergency arises.
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You can read the report here.
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AIHW - Homelessness and homelessness services February 25 Report
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Of the 280,000 clients SHS agencies assisted in 2023–24:
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- 6 in 10 were female (60% or 167,000 clients)
- 1 in 6 were children under the age of 10 (16% or 43,500 clients)
- 1 in 10 were children and youth aged 10–17 (12% or 33,500 clients)
- the largest age group of adult clients was those aged 35–44 (18% of all clients or 50,600 clients)
- about 15,600 were women aged 55 or older (9.3% of total female clients) and 13,900 were men aged 55 or older (12% of total male clients)
- 1 in 3 (34% or 92,300) clients were living as a single parent with one or more children when they sought support (AIHW 2024).
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Experience of sexual harassment among young Australians: Who, where and how?
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More than half of young Australians aged 16–19 reported experiencing sexual harassment in the past year, according to a new report from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The findings highlight that sexual harassment is a widespread issue, with young females being disproportionately affected.
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This survey reveals the significant pressure the housing crisis is placing on frontline service providers and their clients. Across various sectors -homelessness, domestic violence, financial counselling, and emergency relief - organisations are facing unprecedented demand, with 98% reporting higher workloads over the past year. Soaring rental prices, insufficient income support, and a shortage of affordable housing have combined to push more Australians into housing distress, overwhelming service providers. Read more, including recommendations to alleviate the pressure here.
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Is your organisation Child Safe?
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Every child has the right to feel and be safe at all times. Safety requires active effort. The implementation of child safe standards is happening across Queensland – dates are highlighted in the image. Find out more here.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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GCBF Funding Rounds Announced!
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In 2025, the Gambling Community Benefit Fund will have 3 funding rounds:
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- Round 123: $35,000 Standard Grant - opening mid-January and closing 28 February
- Round 124: $100,000 Super Round - opening mid-May and closing 30 June
- Round 125: $35,000 Standard Grant - opening mid-September and closing 31 October
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RESOURCES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
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Young People and Drugs - Resources, Webinars and Training
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Dovetail’s resources to support those working with young people using alcohol and other drugs are great! Check out the toolkit here
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There’s also online courses to do:
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Self-paces online modules covering introductory to advanced level content – access here.
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Recent research 'Study finds authentic communication reduces young people’s risky drinking behaviours' is also available on the Dovetail site here.
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Talking about the elephant
in the room
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Elephant Ed’s vision is to build a world where every individual is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to make informed, healthy, and respectful decisions about consent, relationships, and sexuality.
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Student workshops, Staff PD and Parent Webinars are available. Find more here.
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New resources from WellMob
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Wellmob has launched a new "Workplace Wellbeing Resource Sheet" aimed at supporting workers and promoting culturally safe workplaces. This resource provides a curated selection of links to practical tools and guidance on various topics, including self-care at work, managing cultural load, racism, addressing isolation, and preventing black burnout. Access resources here.
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Updated eLearning:
An introduction to working with young people and drugs
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Dovetail has launched an updated 45-minute eLearning module, "An introduction to working with young people and drugs" aimed at workers engaging one-on-one with young people. It covers the context of young people and AOD use, identifying problematic use, effective communication, and response strategies, along with resources for enhanced interventions and treatment referrals. Access here.
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Webinar Continuing care for young people: What works from the perspective of staff and young people?
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Wed 26 Mar 2025 - 10:00am – 11:00am Access here.
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Amplifying the voices of people with disability
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Explore resources that promote the inclusion of people with disability and how practitioners can reinforce their voices.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
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There’s many services available at Indooroopilly Headspace:
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- A dietician can help with meal planning and fostering a positive relationship with food – find poster here.
- Alcohol and Drugs Counselling provided by Clarence Street and helps with making positive changes to drug and alcohol use – find poster here.
- Dungeons and Dragons, all players are welcome to join an original campaign created by experienced masters – find poster here.
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Acknowledging Country Art Workshops
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Starting on 9 January 2025 and running on a weekly basis on Thursday nights, young people will have a chance to express themselves through an art and yarns project. It is being held at the Red Cross Night Café. Find more here.
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Take it to the Streets is a free sports program for 13 to 18 year olds being offered in various locations on the north side of Brisbane. Sign up for your chance to play basketball, soccer, pickle ball and more!
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Visible Ink Youth Hub has the following available for young people aged 12-15 years:
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- Sound Sessions – this includes open mic nights, jam sessions media studio inductions – find poster here.
- Art Sessions – exploring visual arts skills in a relaxed environment – find poster here.
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