The theme this year is Action Now, and Sunshine Coast Council is committed to keep working with all levels of government and community to end homelessness.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli urged residents to learn what they could do to help and highlighted Council's ongoing efforts to end homelessness as outlined in the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2023.
"Council is keenly aware of the troubling issues facing the community on what is largely the responsibility of the state and federal governments," Mayor Natoli said.
"From free hot showers to transitional housing and lived experience advocacy, we're taking action now to ensure everyone in our community feels supported, safe and included."
"We are working to provide support where possible, including our continued support for Street Up.
"Street Up is a collaborative initiative with community centres and people with lived experience of homelessness working together. It aims to ensure those voices are heard in decision making at all levels.
"We have also helped the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre to provide training for volunteers to assist with the Sunshine Coast Sleeper, formerly known as Sleepbus.
Mayor Natoli also recently attended a forum with the Queensland Housing Minister Sam O'Connor, along with the other mayors of South East Queensland.
"This was the first forum of its kind, and it is focussed on working with the state government to deliver tangible outcomes.
"We don't need more talk in this space - we need action from the state and we, as mayors, are happy to work together and provide advice and support.
"A subcommittee established will support the Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Council.
"We've made great progress on our commitments in the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2023, including delivering the first eight key worker dwellings, now tenanted, as part of our commitment to housing solutions.
To help ensure everyone has access to safe, suitable accommodation, consider:
- Renting your investment property to long-term tenants or through the state government's Helping Hand Headlease program.
- Adding a secondary dwelling or temporary home to your property.
- Renting a spare room.
- Donating land, funds, or vacant buildings to support community-led housing projects.
- Engaging with Street Up to foster genuine dialogue and collaboration.
What your Council is doing:
- Progressively delivering 22 dwellings for key workers on Council-owned land with the support of the Queensland Government $2 billion Housing Investment Fund. The first eight dwellings are completed and tenanted, providing secure housing for essential workers.
- A Public Space Liaison Officer has commenced, offering regular and ongoing support to people experiencing homelessness in public areas.
- Working closely with state government services (IFYS Assertive Outreach Team, State's Critical Response Team) to link people with options for housing and support.
- Continuing to facilitate free hot showers through its Aquatic Centre Network, ensuring access to basic hygiene services.
- Supporting community-led initiatives such as Better Together Housing, transitional housing programs (Gen One and Housing with Dignity, Sunshine Coast Sleeper (formally known as sleepbus).
- Supporting Street Up to raise awareness by sharing lived experience for meaningful change.
- Partnering member with the Advance to Zero Project to better coordinate efforts to ensure homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring.
- Renewed commitment to advocating for evidence-based housing solutions alongside the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Network.
