News
25 May, 2025
Homing in on homelessness
Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Council (HMAC) held its first meeting on May 15, in hopes of finding practical solutions for growing homelessness across the state.
It comes after homeless people were evicted from both Cruice and Eddie Hyland parks across Moreton Bay in recent months.
The HMAC will regularly bring together frontline service providers, community housing leaders, and State Government agencies to provide coordinated, evidence-based advice on reducing homelessness to the Minister.
It will give a real-time picture of homelessness challenges and responses across the State, providing a regular direct line of communication to senior government leaders including in health and housing.
Minister for Housing Sam O’Connor said the Council would strengthen government decision-making, guide policy development, and improve coordination between services and agencies.
“The State Government is reforming our delivery model to ramp up to building over 2,000 social and affordable homes per year,” he said.
“But we know homelessness is a far more complex issue than just providing a safe place to stay. That’s why we’ve created the HMAC—to look at short, medium, and long-term solutions.”
Christopher John, CEO of YFS Ltd based in Logan, acknowledged HMAC marks an important first step toward elevating perspectives in the State’s homelessness response.
“We’re seeing too many young people, families, and older individuals falling through the cracks,” he said.
“This Ministerial Council ensures that on-the-ground service providers, who work every day with people experiencing homelessness, can provide valuable perspectives – and if we’re serious about change these views are exactly what needs to be heard.”
CHIA CEO Julie Saunders emphasised the value of closer engagement between the Government and the community housing sector to accelerate housing outcomes.
