By Logan mayor Jon Raven
Homelessness is never a comfortable topic, but one thing is for certain, it won’t be solved by looking away.
We need to keep having honest conversations about the challenges that face people without a home, and what can realistically be done to help.
Ongoing cost-of-living pressures, high demand for social and affordable housing, rising rental prices and low rental vacancy rates are putting immense strain on our community.
More than 5100 people were waiting for social housing in Logan at the end of 2025 and demand for homelessness services has nearly doubled in just two years.
While housing and homelessness services are primarily the responsibility of the Queensland Government, council is doing what it can to help.
Since August 2024, council has worked alongside local service providers to support more than 260 people into accommodation.
This year, we’ve also established a dedicated Public Space Liaison Team to connect and engage with vulnerable people experiencing homelessness and connect them to State funded support services.
These specialist officers will focus on building relationships, identifying needs and linking people with the right support before their situation becomes more complex.
At the same time, we’re strengthening the way we respond across council to ensure we can balance the needs of people who are sleeping rough with those of our broader community.
In Logan, council takes a compassionate approach to homelessness, but when people refuse to engage with housing providers or break the law, we can take appropriate compliance action.
Homelessness is very complex but the good news is that all levels of government, charities and service providers are working together to help.
Until there are enough affordable homes available in our region homelessness will continue to be a challenge.
We will keep working alongside police with a balance of compassion and compliance to ensure our public spaces are safe for everyone.
If someone you know needs support, information and contact details for local services are available on council’s website at: logan.qld.gov.au/experiencing-homelessness
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