Funding call out as homelessness hits record highs in Moreton Bay
Published 04 October 2024
City of Moreton Bay has had a 90% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the last decade according to 2021 Census data.
Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said too many local people are doing it tough, and for some that means not having a safe place to call home.
“Over the last two years, referrals to Council of people sleeping rough have increased by a staggering 250%.
“The social housing system has not kept pace with the pressure that has been put on it, and that pressure has increased locally.
“An independent report commissioned by Council states that City of Moreton Bay has less social housing dwellings per 10,000 people than Ipswich, Logan and Redland, and ranks only 4th for communities and housing funding per capita, yet we are one of the fastest growing areas of South East Queensland.
“We are calling on the candidates to clearly address the current shortfall of crisis accommodation for people experiencing homelessness within Moreton Bay as an urgent priority as they make election commitments.
“We welcome the recent announcement that has seen the Housing Investment Fund support developers to build more affordable homes in Burpengary East and Joyner.
“It’s been almost 8 months since the Homes for Queenslanders plan was launched and in the meantime Council itself has offered up some of our own blocks of land to community housing and homelessness service providers for activation as social, affordable and/or crisis housing.
“However, we need candidates to commit to expanding crisis and transitional housing options and allocate state-owned land for housing which will see more social and affordable housing support right here in City of Moreton Bay.
Fiona Caniglia, Q Shelter CEO said that Moreton Bay was one of the fastest growing LGAs in the state and the need for affordable housing is growing exponentially.
“The council has been looking at all possible levers locally to unlock social and affordable housing supply, with some key projects already underway.
“Q Shelter has partnered with the council and the local housing and homelessness network to explore collaborative ways to address the emerging homelessness issue in the City.
“We hope the forward capital program for social housing acknowledges needs and helps with timely planning for council and other partners,” Ms Caniglia said.
Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway added, “As the level of government closest to the people, we see first-hand the impact homelessness is having in our city.
“Although housing and homelessness are ultimately the responsibility of other levels of government, we can’t turn a blind eye and have stepped in to help people needing critical support.
“City of Moreton Bay has explored every reasonable option to help combat the impact of the national housing crisis locally.
“Acknowledging our position as the third largest local government in Australia, we have been active in helping to achieve better housing outcomes for our residents, but we can’t do it alone.
“We’re committed to working with all levels of government to ensure our communities here in Moreton Bay have the opportunities and homes they need to thrive now and into the future.
“Council will continue our strong advocacy on housing especially given the current housing crisis.”
City of Moreton Bay has:
- waived development fees and infrastructure charges in fifteen suburbs for affordable and social housing
- offered Council land, under a peppercorn lease, to community housing providers and specialist homelessness service providers for activation as social, affordable and/or crisis housing
- committed a $3.7 million investment to the new Peninsula Support Hub that is currently being built
- supported the Redcliffe Sleepbus.
City of Moreton Bay matters and we need our fair share of funding so we can future-proof our city and ensure it's a place where our community, economy, lifestyles and environment prosper together.
For too long, City of Moreton Bay has been underfunded by successive state and federal governments so this election, we call on all candidates to support our ask in the critical areas of housing and homelessness.