The Schrinner Council will invest $750,000 over the next three years to help some of Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents find a safe place to sleep and a pathway out of homelessness.
As part of the 2026-2027 Council Budget, the Schrinner Council will contribute $250,000 a year for the next three years to the Emmanuel City Mission, a Brisbane-based organisation providing practical support and safe spaces for people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
The commitment builds on an initial $500,000 contribution in last year’s Budget, which helped establish Brisbane’s first and only dedicated overnight sanctuary for people sleeping rough.
That funding was used to deliver female bathroom and sleeping facilities, allowing the Night Sanctuary to welcome both men and women for the first time.
Since opening in November last year, the Night Sanctuary has provided more than 600 overnight stays, offering people a warm meal, a safe place to sleep and support services that have helped provide pathways out of homelessness.
The service currently operates one night a week, with guests reporting life-changing impacts.
One guest, Neil, shared that after spending a night at the sanctuary, he was able to attend a job interview rested and ready.
He secured the job, creating a pathway out of homelessness and there are many more positive stories like Neil’s.
The additional funding from the Schrinner Council will help Emmanuel City Mission expand the Night Sanctuary to more nights each week.
Beyond the Night Sanctuary, Emmanuel City Mission supports hundreds of vulnerable Brisbane residents every week by providing around 3500 hot meals, 700 toiletry packs and 420 loads of washing for those doing it tough.
The Schrinner Council’s partnership with Emmanuel City Mission complements initiatives like Homeless Connect, which connects people experiencing homelessness with the services and support they need.
The Night Sanctuary builds on the Schrinner Council’s record supporting Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents.
Infrastructure charges have been completely waived for community housing, providing around $3 million in relief for community housing providers.
More than $7 million has been invested in the Schrinner Council’s Pathways Out Of Homelessness program since its establishment, with continued investment in the 26-27 Budget.
Over 24,800 people have been supported through the city’s annual Homeless Connect event to date, which provided 1871 meals, 483 health checks and 5158 connections to housing, employment, legal and community support services in May this year.
To find out more about homelessness support initiatives in Brisbane, visit the Council website.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“Behind every homelessness statistic is a person and often all it takes is a safe night’s sleep to help someone take their next step forward.
“We’re proud to support Emmanuel City Mission because they provide practical help with dignity, compassion and care for people who need it most.
“The Night Sanctuary is already making a real difference, providing safety, warmth and stability for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough.
“Stories like Neil’s show exactly why services like this matter. A safe place to sleep can provide the stability and confidence people need to take the next step towards a better future.
“Our investment will help Emmanuel City Mission expand this important service so more Brisbane residents can access a safe place to sleep and connect with the support they need.
“It’s just one of the ways we can support those doing it tough and help create a better Brisbane for our most vulnerable residents.”
Quotes attributable to Emmanuel City Mission Founder and Director, Roby Curtis:
“This commitment from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner brings us one step closer to realising our dream to become Queensland’s largest emergency overnight accommodation facility, if not Australia.
“A significant proportion of people experiencing homelessness are not reached by traditional services and these are the people we exist for.
“I see the impact every day. Someone arrives exhausted, unsure, guarded. Then they eat, they shower, they sit down, they talk and something changes.
“That’s why this work must grow. Because one safe night provided through Night Sanctuary can be the turning point that changes an entire life.”
Quotes attributable to Neil, an Emmanuel City Mission visitor:
“Thank you to the people at Night Sanctuary for helping me change my life.
“Because I was able to get a safe night’s sleep, I was well rested and able to get up early and prepare for my job interview.
“I got the job, but more importantly, I found a way to help me move forward with my life.
“Night Sanctuary is a great place to come and I know the support from this great bunch of people has helped more than I could ever say.”
