As National Homelessness Week commences, ‘Q Shelter’ has called on contesting candidates in the upcoming state election to commit to ending homelessness in Queensland by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. 

Launching today the state peak body for housing and homelessness focus on the 2024 Queensland State Election Policy platform will detail six key priorities with the end goal of preventing homelessness. 

Q Shelter Chief Executive Officer Fiona Caniglia put this challenge to aspiring Queensland Government decision-makers ahead of October’s state election.

"We must have bold and ambitious goals that include targets and adequate investment in the right programs so that we prevent and end homelessness in the runway to the 2032 Games,’” Caniglia said.

“The Olympic Games are in full swing in Paris. The international spotlight will be on Queensland in the lead-up to 2032, and we have an incredible opportunity to position Brisbane and Queensland as the first Olympic and Paralympic host that has ended and not worsened homelessness.” 

Within their policy platform, Q Shelter explains that through ‘ending homelessness’ it will essentially mean a future experience of homelessness would be brief, rare, and non-recurring. 

Increased focus on prevention is at the forefront of Q Shelters initiatives, including investments in: 

• Support programs to help people sustain their tenancies
• More supportive housing for people experiencing significant vulnerability
• Prevention of children’s exposure to adverse experiences, a cause of complex homelessness in later life
• Integrated support for families and children so that children and young people do not experience homelessness at a young age
• Ensuring enough homes to meet population needs, inclusive of social and affordable homes

“There should be a greater focus and investment in prevention and early intervention so that people don’t become homeless in the first place.”

“If circumstances such as unemployment or family conflict and violence leads to homelessness, then we need a system that guarantees that experience is brief, rare and non-recurring. We can’t afford to let people enter homelessness with no way out,” Caniglia said.

The six priority areas the peak body has outlined aims to address the complex issues of housing need and homelessness in a holistic and sustainable manner.

1. Prevent and end homelessness
2. Rapidly increase housing supply, including through modern methods of construction
3. Supercharge the community housing sector for growth
4. Strengthen the private housing system
5. Achieve housing system reform
6. Amplify and embed the voices of people with lived experience and expertise.

Building on many diverse policies and investment measures already in place, Caniglia said that this will include specialist responses to young people, people living with disability and First Nations peoples. “We are encouraged by the bipartisan approach and commitment to housing targets in Queensland for the next 20 years.”

“It is essential that the implementation of Homes for Queenslanders and The Queensland Housing Summit Report continues. The depth and breadth of housing system reforms is critical to future success in planning for Queensland’s significant population growth,” said Caniglia.

The complete Q Shelter State Election Policy Platform can be accessed on the Q Shelter website:

https://qshelter.asn.au/storage/2024/07/20240715-Q-Shelter-State-Election-Platform.pdf