The foundations and concrete slabs have been poured on a construction site that, when finished, will provide accommodation and social support for young people aged 16 to 25 experiencing homelessness.
The 30-unit accommodation, including 24 studio apartments and six one-bedroom apartments for couples or small families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, is located on Manila Street in Beenleigh.
Funds for the unit block build have been sourced from donors by Anglicare Southern Queensland. On 4 August, the Anglican community association GFS, which is not an acronym, pledged $600,000 towards building accommodation for young people facing homelessness.
Anglicare Southern Queensland CEO Sue Cooke encouraged others to donate to a project that she said would help so many in the community.
“Our Youth Homelessness service will provide much-needed accommodation to young people while also equipping them with a range of vital wrap-around support services,” Ms Cooke said.
“These services include mental health support, cultural education and connection, support with living skills, financial literacy, relationship building skills, and opportunities to pursue educational or employment pursuits.
“We encourage all donors, corporate partners, and advocates to help us realise this important community project, and welcome financial and in-kind contributions of any size.”
In all, the youth homelessness service project will cost $14 million to build, Ms Cooke said.
Chairman of GFS in the Brisbane Diocese, Lesley Briggs, said her organisation was committed to supporting efforts to reduce homelessness and increase community support services.
“The GFS’s founding purpose to equip children and youth with life skills to reach their potential perfectly aligns with what Anglicare is creating with their Youth Homelessness Accommodation project in Logan,” Ms Briggs said.
In 2016, construction on Anglicare’s Women’s Housing and Homelessness Services facility was completed, which increased Anglicare’s capacity to deliver support services from 14 adult women to 23 adult women, eight young women, and their children.
GFS donated over $2 million for the construction of the purpose-built facility in Toowong.
“Our organisation has a long history of supporting youth, and like Anglicare, we believe every young person deserves a safe place to call home,” Ms Briggs said.
“Our association with Anglicare brought their youth homelessness project to our attention, which we have taken to our hearts and have pledged our support.
“We know this project will make a real impact for vulnerable young people in the community and can’t wait to see the doors open in mid-2026.”
