Tackling Moreton Bay's homeless crisis

New figures have revealed the Queensland Government’s response to Moreton Bay’s homelessness crisis, which was recently described as “horrific”.

In the last 15 months the Department of Housing (DoH) has helped 450 “households” into government-assisted social housing and more than 3600 get rental assistance.

Work is also “ramping up” on more social and economic housing and more than $10 million given to Specialist Homelessness Services in this region.

It comes after Mayor Peter Flannery hit back at attacks by homeless advocacy groups on social media over Moreton Bay City Council’s handling of the crisis.

Mayor Flannery said the increase in homelessness over the last four-five years has been “horrific” and "we’ve done the best we can in the tight situation we’re in".

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway added Council is “not funded or resourced to provide public housing. It’s very simple”.

Encircle - the community services organisation with centres at Lawnton, Kallangur and Redcliffe – has also called for “more housing needs to be made available now”.

A spokesperson for the DoH says the State Government “is providing housing support to vulnerable Queenslanders, no matter where they live”.

“We have frontline teams dedicated to reaching out to people experiencing homelessness,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re ramping up construction of more social and community housing to provide housing for our most vulnerable.”

The DoH says 126 social and affordable houses were provided in the Moreton Bay LGA (Local Government Area) in the 2024-25 financial year and 28 by August 31, this financial year.

More than 650 social and affordable homes were also being built or under contract (not yet in construction or settled) in this region, as at August 31.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Moreton Bay Housing Support Centre helped 375 households into government-managed social housing and another 73 this financial year.

Last financial year, more than 3400 households were helped with rental products and this financial year 270 more to get and keep a private rental.

As of July 1, the DoH has pledged more than $10.1 million for eight Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in the Moreton Bay LGA.

This includes 65 places of temporary supported accommodation, tenancy sustainment services and access emergency accommodation.

More than $855,000 has also been committed for crisis accommodation this financial year, providing 40 head-leased homes across the Moreton Bay region.

The State Government is also committed to a new Youth Foyer in Moreton Bay – which will be one of eight in Queensland.