Council escalates call for supportive housing need

Published 22 April 2026

City of Moreton Bay today escalated its urgent push for the delivery of supportive housing partnerships, following a unanimous endorsement of Council’s supportive housing advocacy plan.

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said Council’s resolution provided a tangible way forward for State and Federal Governments to help actively manage housing challenges in City of Moreton Bay.

“Today, we have clearly outlined a much-needed supportive housing solution - a proven partnership based model to help end the cycle of chronic homelessness.

“We’ve set out a staged, polycentric approach that is practical and responsive to local conditions across our City.

“Housing is primarily a State responsibility, but we are the ones at the grassroots, working with stakeholders and our most vulnerable every day.

“We’re looking forward to the upcoming State and Federal budgets, and with all the work we’ve done in providing solutions, combined with what we are seeing on the ground, Council can’t see how this ask can still be ignored.

“City of Moreton Bay is facing one of the most acute housing and homelessness challenges in Queensland.

“Right now, more than 6,000 people in our City are on the social housing register and last year, close to 3,000 people accessed specialist homelessness services.

“While, as a Council we compassionately balance community access to safe public spaces, alongside supporting people in need, this is becoming more difficult.

“There has been a substantial increase in reports of homelessness to Council over the past two years, with increasing impacts on our public spaces due to a lack of long-term housing options.

“That’s why we are stepping up our push, highlighting real solutions for practical, partnership-based solutions, especially in relation to supportive housing.

“Brisbane and the Gold Coast have large centralised supportive housing developments, and we’ve seen one recently announced on the Sunshine Coast.

“City of Moreton Bay must now be prioritised, and we’ve even gone so far as to identify our initial priorities of Caboolture and Redcliffe.  

“Stable housing is just one factor in this complex issue. What many people experiencing homelessness really need is critical wraparound services - from medical to mental health support and that’s where supportive housing comes in.

“Supportive housing, specifically through the successful Common Ground model, has saved the State Government over $17,500 per year per tenant so this is a no brainer.

“We have and will always be a solution-driven Council, and will keep sharing ideas to make our community safer for all.  Council’s position continues to be maintained in that all members of the community deserve a safe and secure home.

“That means we also need an urgent increase in social housing and crisis accommodation across the City. Our research shows that Moreton Bay requires an additional 295 social homes each year up to 2046, to address current need and meet future demand.

“I look forward to all levels of government working productively with the community housing provider sector, to urgently deliver housing solutions for City of Moreton Bay”

Council’s Delivering Supportive Housing Partnerships for City of Moreton Bay document outlines a staged, partnership-based approach to deliver supportive housing in key locations across the City including Caboolture and Redcliffe.

Supportive housing responds to these needs by bringing housing and support together into one place. On-site services such as case management, mental health support, life-skills training and other assistance help people stabilise more quickly and rebuild their lives.

The supportive housing model outlined, as evidenced by the highly successful Common Ground in South Brisbane, offers long-term housing security, restores dignity through safe and independent living, and fosters a strong sense of community among tenants.

Common Ground Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Sue Pope said City of Moreton Bay has shown a genuine commitment to working in partnership to address housing need in their community.

“Their collaborative approach and openness to innovative solutions is helping to create more opportunities for people to access safe, stable housing and the support they need to thrive.

“They are truly leading the way and helping to create inclusive solutions that support people to build more stable futures.

“The need for supportive housing in City of Moreton Bay is common sense,” she said.