Cairns Regional Council has approved an arrangement to allow Young Australian League (YAL) to enter into a sublease agreement with the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (DCHDE) to use a local lodge for short-term temporary accommodation.
The Young Australians League Ltd (YAL) has been at the Tropicana Lodge site for 66 years, during which time it has invested significantly in the site’s maintenance and development, Council said in a statement today.
Initially, the facility (pictured) provided low-cost accommodation for sporting and community groups, as well as students and families from remote areas.
However, in response to COVID-19 and the impacts to some of the city’s most vulnerable people, the facility was used by Anglicare North Queensland to provide temporary accommodation for those groups most affected, the Council said.
“With the impacts of COVID-19 still present and increased costs of living pressures, Cairns continues to face significant levels of housing distress, including a shortage of social and affordable housing,” it said.
“Through Council’s approval, YAL can continue to work with the DCHDE to provide short term assistance to vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness, while longer term solutions are explored.
“This collaborative approach aligns with work underway to explore how Council can contribute to approaches that increase access to levels of social and affordable housing across the community,” Council said.
