The Queensland Government has announced an expansion of frontline homelessness services and supported housing in Nambour.
The Government says the local initiative, delivered as part of the Nambour Homelessness Response, will provide immediate support for people experiencing homelessness and more housing options for vulnerable Queenslanders including:
- $1 million for local specialist provider IFYS to boost homelessness outreach and mobile support services across Nambour;
- eight new social homes delivered in partnership with community housing provider Coast2Bay ;
- a new crisis and transitional housing development delivering 20 places of temporary supported accommodation for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness at a newly acquired, well-located site;
- advancing negotiations with the Sunshine Coast Council to secure a site for a potential future supportive housing development, providing longer-term housing with built-in supports such as tenancy sustainment, mental health services and other wraparound supports.
Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor said the announcement followed the Nambour homelessness forum convened last year where the Government and Sunshine Coast Council committed to working together on a tailored, localised response to homelessness in Nambour.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and these new local solutions will help provide immediate support for people doing it tough while delivering more housing for the most vulnerable members of the Nambour community,” Minister O’Connor said.
“By strengthening frontline services, delivering housing with support built in and starting work on more social and community housing, we’re creating a pathway for people to rebuild their lives after a decade where housing supply didn’t keep up with demand.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor, Rosanna Natoli welcomed the partnership between State Government, Council and community organisations.
“Addressing homelessness requires collaboration across all levels of government and the community,” Mayor Natoli said.
“The homelessness forum we convened last year was an important step in bringing partners together, and these investments show what can be achieved when we work together on practical solutions.”
“I’d like to thank Minister O’Connor for engaging with us and listening to our community’s concerns on this urgent issue.”
Coast2Bay Housing Group CEO, Andrew Elvin said the eight new social homes would help meet growing demand for affordable housing on the Sunshine Coast.
“This development is a special project for Coast2Bay Housing – our journey as a community housing provider began here in the heart of Nambour,” Mr Elvin said.
“Everyone deserves a safe and secure home, but to make that a reality we need more homes and we need local solutions, which is exactly what this project delivers.”
“We are proud to partner with the State Government and local builder Rejuvenate Group Pty Ltd to deliver these eight new units for 12 individuals in Nambour.”
