The 27th Homeless Connect, the special event staged by Council to help Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents, returns today (Friday 3 November).
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said his Council is proud to host the full-day event which will provide food, clothes, shoes, haircuts and medical services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“Homeless Connect makes a huge difference to Brisbane residents doing it tough,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Since the program began in 2006, more than 20,000 residents have been helped and our last event in May saw a significant number of residents access the support services on offer.
“We know that times are tough at the moment – which is why this support is so critical”
“We’re all feeling the bite of rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, but it’s the vulnerable people in our community who suffer most.
“It’s more than a hot meal, a new pair of shoes or a haircut, it’s providing support, compassion and vital connections with frontline support services.
“Brisbane is a city with a big heart, and I want to thank the residents who generously donated items to this year’s Homeless Connect Drive.”
Homeless Connect delivers free services and support, such as haircuts, health care and immunisation, as well as vital items to people experiencing homelessness.
The last event, held in May, donated 1911 meals, 26 pallets of food and toiletries, 15 pallets of clothes and 200 haircuts to more than 880 vulnerable residents.
During the last event, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced three frontline housing and homeless charities would receive a share of more than $1 million in funding through Council’s Pathways out of Homelessness Grant program.
Brisbane Housing Company Ltd, the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health Ltd and Youth Advocacy Centre Inc received funding under the three year agreement with Council.
“Brisbane is Australia’s fastest growing capital city which means we’re not immune from the housing shortage being experienced nationwide right now,” Cr Schrinner said.
“I recently announced our Housing Action Plan which will help fast-track the delivery of more homes through infrastructure charge incentives.
“Our plan includes 100 per cent and permanent removal of these charges for the community housing sector, making it easier for them to deliver vital social housing.
“This means community housing providers will be able to save $1 million for every 100 homes they deliver.
“With 96 per cent of all new homes delivered by the private sector, we made the sensible decision to reduce their infrastructure charges too.
“We’re pulling every leaver we have to get homes built sooner so all residents, regardless of whether they are owners, renters or social housing tenants, have a roof over their heads.
“Our housing action reforms will ensure we build our way out of the housing crisis, without aggressive and short-sighted new taxes.”
For more information, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘Housing and Homelessness”.
