Pilot program to help homeless

The State Government is being urged to join a new pilot program to help the homeless in City of Moreton Bay.

HomeFind will be trialed by Encircle, the community services organisation which has neighbourhood centres at Lawnton, Kallangur and Redcliffe.

The program is ready to pilot, but Encircle is just waiting for confirmation of funding.

Moreton Bay City Council is a HomeFind partner and Mayor Peter Flannery has now invited the State Government to jump on board.

With 40 per cent of the homeless in this region being women, the pilot will start by focusing on helping women “experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness”.

HomeFind will provide transitional housing, where they can live with “appropriate wraparound services and support”.

Mayor Flannery said bringing “an end to homelessness is a non-negotiable goal for Council”.

“We are working with frontline services, housing providers, community groups and all levels of government to deliver immediate and practical support to achieve this,” he said.

“We will continue to put forward practical solutions to the (State) Government to alleviate this housing crisis.

“We thank the State Government for recognising the pressing need in City of Moreton Bay and urge them to continue to support local partnerships and innovative approaches like HomeFind to deliver real outcomes for those in need.”

Encircle CEO Barb Power OAM said homelessness and housing were among the biggest portfolios for the organisation’s staff and volunteers.

Emergency placements can be found for up to 72 hours in places such as motels. For families, housing for a couple of weeks.

However, HomeFind aims to set-up four homes for women over 55 to stay for 90 days as Encircle works to find permanent housing.

Referrals will be from HOAP (Homeless Outreach Access Program) for “individuals/families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the Moreton Bay region”.

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said the HomeFind pilot would see “those vulnerable people that actually want accommodation, with more options”.

“It would absolutely assist the wonderful providers like Encircle in insuring there are less gaps in the systems when someone is waiting for a more permanent house.

“This HomeFind pilot will open up availability for crisis accommodation.”

Council has provided land for community housing providers and waived infrastructure charges to help deliver more social housing.

The $6.7m Peninsula Support Hub was also recently opened in Redcliffe to house The Breakfast Club and Salvation Army.