Responding to homelessness
Responding to HomelessnessIn the 2005-06 State Budget, the Queensland Government announced Responding to Homelessness, a $235.52 million whole-of-government response to health, accommodation and safety issues faced by homeless people.
The Department of Communities has directed additional $56.45 million over four years to boost responses to homelessness and public intoxication issues.
Of this, $42.5 million over four years has been invested directly in services for homeless people through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), which is a State and Commonwealth funding program. A proportion of the new funds has formed part of the Innovation and Investment Fund, which was established by the Australian Government as part of the SAAP.
The response also includes a commitment to providing support to people who are intoxicated and at risk of harm in public places.
The Department of Communities have delivered the following initiatives under Responding to Homeless:
- a call centre for homeless people, or those at risk of becoming homeless, called Homeless Persons Information Queensland
- service hubs for homeless people
- additional crisis accommodation for single homeless people with complex needs, who may be excluded from the homelessness services system
- additional crisis accommodation for homeless families
- transitional accommodation for young people, with support provided to them to attain greater levels of independence
- new homelessness early intervention services to assist people at risk of becoming homeless to maintain or improve their living situation
- new and enhanced public intoxication outreach support services.