New home for homelessness services in Moreton Bay
Published 04 December 2023
In the face of a national housing crisis, City of Moreton Bay is leading the development of a $6.7 million housing and homelessness hub on the Redcliffe Peninsula to improve facilities and access to services for people at risk of and experiencing homelessness.
Work on the Moreton Bay Homelessness Hub in Oxley Avenue is hoped to commence in late 2023, replacing the existing community facility that was home to The Breakfast Club, Redcliffe.
To be completed by late 2024, Mayor Peter Flannery said the new and improved centre will provide community members better access to critical housing and homelessness support services.
“With $3.7 million invested by City of Moreton Bay and a further $3 million contribution from the State Government's South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program (SEQCSP), we’re helping to create new infrastructure and assets that deliver essential services and support for our local communities,” he said.
“Our Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, released last week, outlines the steps we’re taking to tackle this growing issue at the local level, including community land leasing and cutting fees for developers and community housing providers to create new social and affordable housing across the City.
“The role of local government is growing in wake of the housing crisis and this project is just one more real solution we’re working on for the people of Moreton Bay.”
Hon Yvette D'Ath MP said this vital funding will support better community outcomes.
“This new hub is something that our community has been calling for and I am proud that the Palaszczuk Government is funding something so important for members of our community. This funding marks a positive step for homelessness support on the Peninsula and across the region,” she said.
Located at the corner of Portwood Street and Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe, the new building will include:
- a dual-tenanted service centre
- commercial-grade kitchen
- office space and consult rooms
- storage
- shower, toilet and laundry facilities
- pavement works and line marking in carpark area.
“Thanks to this ambitious project, The Breakfast Club will have a purpose-built new home and there will also be a dedicated space for a specialist housing and homelessness service to facilitate their important work too - making it a true hub for essential support services,” Mayor Flannery said.
“The complex nature of homelessness requires a unified and holistic response across all levels of government and community services.
“We’ve worked with The Breakfast Club to design the building and talked to a range of stakeholders, including community service organisations, to ensure the new build will better support their needs now and into the future.
“The new hub will not include accommodation, however Council has introduced a number of initiatives to encourage the development of affordable and social housing in the City."
Cr Karl Winchester (Division 6) said the build would provide a multi-purpose combined services centre.
“We know the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased by over 90% over the past 10 years and that number is still trending upward,” he said.
“Once completed, this great new facility will have a tenancy for The Breakfast Club and space for other specialist homelessness service providers to support people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in our community.
“Co-locating these services will provide people with immediate support including food, access to bathroom and laundry facilities, and connection to specialist health, wellbeing and housing assistance.
“Council is working hard to support those doing it tough, and The Breakfast Club in the Redcliffe area is critical for many.
“We’ll ensure Council’s work continues to support the organisations out there doing so much for our residents.”
For more information on this project and other works underway by Council see: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Projects