Responding to Homelessness Strategy
The Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness Strategy focuses on building existing initiatives and establishing new and innovative strategies to help homeless people in Queensland.
The Government’s goal is to ensure homeless people have access to accommodation and an integrated service system, which will lead to opportunities to re-engage with the community, to live a stable life, and to build a better future.
The Responding to Homelessness booklet (PDF – 503 KB) outlines the Queensland Government’s funding commitment of $235.5 million over four years to boost responses to homelessness, as announced in June 2005.
The Responding to Homelessness brochure (PDF – 755 KB) provides an update on the Government’s progress in addressing homelessness in Queensland and outlines the initiatives planned for 2007.
A mid-term review was undertaken by the University of Queensland Social Research Centre. The Summary of the findings of the Mid-term Review (PDF – 34 KB) outlines the findings of the review and lists the actions the Queensland Government is taking in response to the results of the findings.
The Closing the Gaps and Opening Doors (PDF – 1.6 MB) is the 2008 report which presents the findings of the Place-Based Network Analysis and Case Study evaluation that examined the impact of the Strategy on levels of integration and service coordination across three selected sites: Townsville, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
The Evaluation of the Department of Housing’s Contribution to the Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness Strategy (PDF – 855 kB) is the 2008 evaluation of the DoH’s contribution to the Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness Strategy focusing on the eight projects funded by DoH, some conducted in partnership with the Department of Communities, Queensland Health and Queensland Corrective Services.
The Implementation Evaluation of the Department of Communities’ Initiatives under the Responding to Homelessness Strategy (PDF – 2.5 MB) is the 2008 Program Evaluation of The Department’s funded initiatives under Phase 2.
Strategic Impact Evaluation of the Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness Strategy is the 2009 report which outlines findings of the strategic impact of all 32 projects across seven (reducing to five) government departments.
One social housing system
In response to increasing demand for social housing assistance, the Queensland Government is working with community and local government-managed housing providers to implement important changes through one social housing system. This system is a better and fairer way for people to access housing assistance, for the time that it is needed.
Implementation of one social housing system includes:
- common eligibility criteria for social housing assistance;
- one application form for long-term social housing and one combined waitlist;
- streamlined allocation policies for matching clients to vacancies; and
- the provision of social housing assistance for those with the greatest need, for as long as it is needed.
To find out more visit the Qld Government website: One social housing system.
Read the background paper and the feedback on it that led to the one social housing system: Paving the Way (PDF – 224 KB).
For more general information on strategic directions of the Queensland Government’s Housing and Homelessness Services, visit the website: Strategic policy direction.
Homelessness programs
The Department of Communities (Housing and Homelessness Services), through its Homelessness Programs business area, funds community organisations to provide accommodation and support services for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homelessness.
To find out more visit the Queensland Government website: Homelessness programs.
Homeless Persons Information Queensland
This is a freecall service providing information about housing, as well as advice, support and practical assistance.
To find out more visit the Queensland Government website: Homeless Persons Information Queensland (HPIQ).
The Queensland Compact: Towards a Fairer Queensland
The Queensland Compact is designed to guide the relationship between the Non-profit Community Services Sector (the sector) and the Queensland Government, articulating a vision and goals which underpin this relationship. It commits both parties to actions that will contribute to better outcomes for Queenslanders by fostering strong working relationships, driving engagement in planning and policy processes, and strengthening sector capacity and service quality.