Homelessness is a complex issue, and sadly, there is not one easy fix. As the cost of living continues to rise, more and more people are facing housing stress, and the number of people having to sleep in cars or tents is on the increase as well.
For too long, the current Lord Mayor and his LNP Administration have failed to act, instead choosing to blame other levels of government or bowing to pressure from the development industry.
Brisbane Labor have announced a comprehensive plan that they are taking to the March local government election, which has specific elements to see those who need housing support the most get it.
As the number of people facing homelessness continues to grow, the not for profit and community organisations that assist them are under more and more strain.
A Labor led Council would increase the Pathways out of Homelessness Grants program from $1 million to $5 million a year. Over the four-year term, that’s an increase of $20 million to support these organisations and more wrap-around services and more opportunities for collaboration and growth in this area.
As well as this grant program, Council also has a Public Liaison Space Team – a dedicated team of Council staff that are working on the ground daily with the most vulnerable in our city.
Disappointingly, this team is not supported well enough by the LNP, and a Labor Administration would double the number of staff in this team to better support rough sleepers or those at risk of homelessness.
These additional staff would be redeployed from the communication and marketing teams in Council, who for too long have been used as a personal advertising service for Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and the LNP.
The increase in staffing and funding would enable Homelessness Connect, an event held to support our vulnerable community members, to be increased to provide more services and year-round support to those who need it.
A new working group with representatives from the Public Liaison Space Team, emergency housing providers, homelessness support services, Community Housing Providers, and the Miles State Government’s Department of Housing would be established to better understand the gaps in services and to work collaboratively.
The Council must pull every lever available to it, and under Labor more support would be given to crisis accommodation and homelessness service providers.
The solution can’t just be picking a fight, like the Lord Mayor has done with the Pinkenba site.
Practical solutions are the only way this city will be able to address these challenges and turn people’s situations around.
Tracey’s website has the full list of measures her Labor team have outlined in their Homelessness Policy, as well as more information about Tracey and her plans to deliver more for Brisbane.
