Great News for Queensland’s Young People and SYHS since YHMD 2023
Queensland Youth Housing Coalition (QYHC) has been working in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works to deliver on commitments under Towards Ending Homelessness for Young Queenslanders 2022-2027.
A funding uplift of $20.88 million across 24 existing Specialist Homelessness Services delivering Immediate Supported Accommodation (Shelters) for young people will ensure that there is at least one worker onsite 24/7 and two workers onsite during peak periods of service delivery. This uplift in funding recognises the challenges faced by organisations to provide services to young people with complex needs during peak times, often evenings.
This funding also includes the enhancement of one Immediate Supported Accommodation program in five locations across Queensland to move to a two-worker awake model, allowing for 24/7 intake of young people who are experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless. In partnership with the department, QYHC will be working with stakeholders including service providers and young people to co-design place-based minimum standards and expectations for this enhanced service delivery model.
As well as enhancing two existing Mobile Support and/or Outreach Access services in Mount Isa and Logan, an open tender is currently being undertaken that will deliver 13 new Mobile Support services for young people across 15 regional locations and enhance existing outreach and/or mobile support services in Moreton Bay and Cairns for young people including First Nations young people.
In case you missed February’s announcements, Homes for Queenslanders included the great news that all Specialist Homelessness Services will be receiving a 20 per cent uplift in funding, an Independent Review is being undertaken and many other sector announcements to support young people including:
- critical response team to all regions
- more staff in Housing Service Centres
- extension of the Immediate Housing Response for Families to include individuals and couples
- new after-hours outreach services
- new mobile support services to help young people in both their homes and public places, to find and keep housing
- eight new Youth Foyers
- support for young people in community housing, and
- one-stop-shop for young people partnering with Brisbane Youth Service.
And don’t forget the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works Youth Essentials – providing financial assistance to eligible young people to support their move to independent living. Renters Relief Package to access private rental products including Bond Loans, Rental Subsidies and Rental Grants to help find and apply for a place to rent, move into a rental, and keep your home.
For more information on new initiatives, click here.
