A new advisory council formed to tackle the homelessness and housing crises has met.
Dubbed the Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Council (HMAC), it involves frontline service providers, community housing leaders, and other agencies meeting “regularly” to formulate and give advice to the Queensland government about ways to reduce homelessness.
Long-standing Logan organisation YFS, which is next month celebrating its 40th birthday, is a member of the council.
YFS CEO Christopher John said it marked an important first step towards elevating perspectives in the state government’s homelessness response.
“We’re seeing too many young people, families, and older individuals falling through the cracks,” Mr John said.
“HMAC gives YFS and others a seat at the table to shape solutions that understand the lived experience of those facing housing insecurity and homelessness.
“This Ministerial Council ensures that on-the-ground service providers, who work every day with people experiencing homelessness, can provide valuable perspectives – and if we’re serious about change these views are exactly what needs to be heard.”
QShelter CEO Fiona Caniglia notes HMAC’s potential to drive collaboration across sectors and strengthen statewide responses.
“We welcome this strategic forum for collaboration that brings all of the necessary parts of the system together,” said Ms Caniglia.
“The housing crisis requires all parts of the system working together. HMAC is a critical opportunity to ensure that the policies developed translate into effective and sustainable solutions, now and in the future.”
Minister for Housing Sam O’Connor said the council would strengthen government decision-making, guide policy development, and improve coordination between services and agencies.
“Under Labor’s housing crisis, the social housing waitlist soared to almost 50,000 people and we have almost 5,000 Queenslanders currently stuck in temporary and emergency accommodation. That is a shameful legacy — and we can only fix it with long term housing supply – not stop gap solutions,” said Minister O’Connor.
“While Labor delivered an average of just 500 social homes per year over the past decade, the Crisafulli Government is reforming our delivery model to ramp up to building over 2,000 social and affordable homes per year.
“We have 5,000 new social and affordable homes under contract or under construction right now.
“But we know homelessness is a far more complex issue than just providing a safe place to stay. That’s why we’ve created the Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Council—to look at short, medium, and long-term solutions right across Queensland.
“Every Queenslander deserves a safe, secure place to call home, and that’s what we are determined to deliver.”
CHIA CEO Julie Saunders emphasised the value of closer engagement between the Government and the community housing sector to accelerate housing outcomes.
“Community housing providers are ready to deliver,” said Ms Saunders.
“Cutting red tape and involving the sector early will help us fast-track housing where it’s needed most—and that’s what the Council can enable.”
