Anglicare Southern Queensland targets $70,000 for youth experiencing homelessness through tax appeal
Local
As the end of financial year approaches, Anglicare Southern Queensland is encouraging the community to open their hearts and wallets for the organisation’s annual tax appeal as they aim to raise $70,000 towards supporting young people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness
The funds raised will go directly towards Anglicare’s Youth Homelessness Project in Beenleigh which will deliver up to 30 apartments to vulnerable young people aged 16-25 by late 2025.
Anglicare Southern Queensland Chief Executive Officer Sue Cooke said the Beenleigh project will provide much-needed housing relief to an increasingly growing group of Australians.
“At Anglicare Southern Queensland, we are committed to doing all that we can to alleviate the housing pressures amongst this cohort of young people,” Ms Cooke said.
“We know that with stable housing and the right support network, young people can positively change their life trajectory by securing employment, education, and long-term housing.”
Recent data revealed more than 43,000 children and young people presented to a housing service in 2023-24 across Australia1. More than half of this number reported being turned away from a crisis shelter or refuge due to limited capacity2.
“With homelessness rates rising amongst young people, we know that there is insufficient accommodation and wrap around support available to connect them to services to achieve long-term housing outcomes and opportunities for a brighter future,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our Beenleigh project is a modern facility that will not only provide much-needed accommodation to young people but will also provide them with a range of vital wrap around support services including mental health support, cultural education and connection, support with living skills, financial literacy, relationship building skills and opportunities to pursue educational or employment pursuits.”
The development is on track to help hundreds of young people and young families, supporting Australians like Cherice who came through Anglicare’s service almost a decade ago after falling into homelessness when her father forced her out of home at only 16.
Cherice moved into her mother’s unit however her mother was incarcerated soon after and Cherice was unable to afford the rent despite working two jobs whilst still attending school.
After moving into Anglicare’s crisis accommodation, she soon progressed to transitional accommodation where she was supported by the organisation to complete school and continue further studies.
Cherice was able to create a positive future for herself, going on to become a nurse in a major Queensland hospital while living in her own unit with her dog, Sophie.
“I finished my Year 12 schooling, that allowed me to go on and do further study and now I’m a registered nurse,” Clarice said.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Anglicare. Without their support and guidance, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study, to buy a car, to get braces, to have my own unit – all of the things that I wanted to do but couldn’t without their support.’’
Anglicare helps those at risk to find a home, but the organisation can’t do it alone. Anglicare is seeking donors, corporate partners and advocates to help realise this important community project, and welcome financial and in-kind contributions of any size this tax time.
For more information about Anglicare’s youth homelessness accommodation project, visit Youth Homelessness Project
To donate, please visit Anglicare’s giving page here.
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