Council has approved an arrangement to allow Young Australian League (YAL) to enter into a sublease agreement with the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (DCHDE) to use Tropicana Lodge for short-term temporary accommodation.
The Young Australians League Ltd (YAL) has been at site for 66 years, during which time it has invested significantly in the site's maintenance and development.
Initially, the facility provided low-cost accommodation for sporting and community groups, as well as students and families from remote areas.
However, in response to COVID-19 and the impacts to some of the city's most vulnerable people, the facility was used by Anglicare North Queensland to provide temporary accommodation for those groups most affected.
With the impacts of COVID-19 still present and increased costs of living pressures, Cairns continues to face significant levels of housing distress, including a shortage of social and affordable housing.
Through Council's approval, YAL can continue to work with the DCHDE to provide short term assistance to vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness, while longer term solutions are explored.
This collaborative approach aligns with work underway to explore how Council can contribute to approaches that increase access to levels of social and affordable housing across the community.
