A port in the perfect storm: How the housing crisis can lead to real housing solutions

All Queenslanders should have somewhere to turn to when life gets rough. But the compounding impact of global and local events over the last two decades has led to a perfect storm in the housing market.

Rates of homelessness in our state are up 22 per cent, almost three times the national average. It’s an unprecedented affordability crisis, with more women and families than ever before struggling to find a safe place to call home.

And the sector that cares for these Queenslanders in need is underfunded and under-resource.

We’re on the precipice of ‘what happens next’. We have the opportunity of a generation to solve the problems that have led to this crisis and create a future where it won’t happen again. And the voices of those living with this crisis need to be at the heart of what we do.

New funding, policies, projects and targets promise to effect real change. But will they work? Are our calls for innovative solutions finally being answered?

The 16th Annual Women and Homelessness Forum examined what’s ahead,  unpacked new projects and plans, considered the impact of the upcoming state election, and identified opportunities to break the cycle of trauma for women and children.

We looked at the new faces of homelessness and the key causes behind it, and most importantly, we heard directly from women with lived experience of the housing crisis about their journeys into safe and stable homes.

We know we are stronger together, so The Lady Musgrave Trust is proud to present this event in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works, Queensland Council of Community Service (QCOSS), QShelter, Micah Projects and Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Centre for Justice.