We are working to strengthen Queensland’s housing system to better support people facing alcohol and other drug concerns.
The Commission is investing $883,000 over 18 months to deliver three initiatives that will build the capability of housing and homelessness service providers to respond to and support Queenslanders experiencing alcohol and other drugs (AOD) related concerns.
Funding stems from Queensland Government investment under Achieving balance, Queensland’s alcohol and other drugs plan into AOD sector development and better health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing AOD related concerns.
Why is this important?
Safe and secure housing is a key social determinant of health.
While most people who use AOD don’t experience issues related to housing, housing instability or homelessness can increase the likelihood of experiencing AOD challenges.
Conversely, experiencing AOD concerns can increase the risk associated with housing instability and people with AOD concerns can experience barriers to accessing housing and health supports when engaging with the housing sector.
Enhancing workforce capability, organisational systems, processes, policy and practice will improve housing service accessibility and will better equip the sector to respond effectively to and support people who use AOD.
About the grant program
The AOD Responses in Housing and Homelessness Settings Grants program was established to build housing and homelessness services providers’ capability to better support people experiencing AOD concerns.
The grant program was open to eligible Queensland-based, not-for-profit, non-government organisations, and aims to improve tenancy sustainability, increase access to health supports, and reduce barriers to people who use AOD accessing housing and homelessness services.
The program recognises that strengthening the capability of housing and homelessness services is not only an important investment in the sector, but also into better health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing AOD related concerns.
Funded initiatives
Three initiatives were selected for funding under the grant program:
Strong Connections – Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID)
CQID is a community-controlled organisation dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Strong Connections initiative will deliver a range of activities that embed AOD and trauma-informed care within housing services, including training and professional development to improve workforce capability to support people who use AOD; reviewing and strengthening organisational policies and practices and formalising collaborative relationships between the AOD and housing and homelessness sectors. The initiative will be delivered across Rockhampton and Woorabinda.
Follow CQID at https://cqid.com.au.
Breaking Barriers – Mangrove Housing
Mangrove Housing delivers support and housing solutions to people with complex support needs who are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless. The Breaking Barriers initiative will address and remove the obstacles that people who use AOD have when engaging with the housing services system. Delivered across Redlands, Logan, Brisbane City Council and the Scenic Rim, the initiative focuses on improving workforce capabilities and will co-develop revised policies and procedures with people with a lived experience of AOD use and homelessness and sector agencies. Mangrove Housing will deliver a learnings report, which will be shared with the sector.
Follow Mangrove Housing at https://www.mangrovehousing.com.au.
Building Hope and Homes – Micah Projects
Micah Projects delivers housing, health, mental health, domestic and family violence services, disability and aged care navigation and related supports to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Building Hope and Homes initiative will develop a trauma-informed best practice model of care for people with AOD concerns who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. This includes the development of a range of tools and resources, including a formal learning program to enable replication of the initiative across the broader service system.
Follow Micah Projects at https://www.micahprojects.org.au.
Funding will be administered by the Commission.
