Housing and homelessness support
Find resources for homelessness support in Brisbane. Learn about the services available and our Homeless Connect event.
Homelessness can affect anyone and can be temporary or long-term.
If you or someone you know is currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness, we have events, resources and partnerships that can help.
Support for people who are homeless
Homeless Connect
Homeless Connect is a one-day event which provides free services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
We organise the event with support from local schools, businesses and volunteers.
What services are available during the event?
Free services include:
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access to medical and allied health care professionals, including doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, audiologists and massage therapists
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haircuts
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support for housing, employment and community services
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immunisation services
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personal grooming items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant
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clothing
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non-perishable food items
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breakfast, lunch and live entertainment.
Past events
We’ve held 29 Homeless Connect events since the first in 2006. Our last event was held on Thursday 16 May 2024.
This event had:
838
guests
274
volunteers
464
health checks
4,263
visits to 57 service providers
20
pallets of food and toiletries
14
pallets of clothes and 4 pallets of shoes donated.
How you can help
Donate to Homeless Connect
The next Homeless Connect donation drive will open Monday 28 April. You can donate by taking non-perishable food and toiletries to your local ward office or local Council library.
In-demand items include:
- canned tuna and salmon
- toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant
- shaving blades and cream
- coffee and tea
- long-life milk
- canned soup and vegetables
- rice and pasta
- bodywash, shampoo and conditioner
- cereal and muesli bars.
Public Space Liaison Officers
Public Space Liaison Officers (PSLOs) are the first point of contact between Council and people experiencing homelessness.
Our PSLOs work with Queensland Government's Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works and non-government organisations to support people who are homeless.
If you need support, call Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask to speak with the Safe Communities team.
You can also contact Council by:
- using the National Relay Service
- Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and asking to speak with Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.
Brisbane Housing Company
Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides affordable rental accommodation for people on low incomes.
BHC has assisted more than 7,000 households to access and maintain tenancies in secure housing.
Red Cross Night Café
Council supports the Red Cross Night Café, which provides homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 12-25 with:
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free meals
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access to showers and toilets
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health and legal advice
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workshops and arts-based activities.
How to access the Red Cross Night Café
You can access the cafe on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. It's located on the basement level of Brisbane City Hall.
Enter via the door on the Adelaide Street side of the building.
Essential Contacts Guide
The Essential Contacts Guide (ECG) gives you contact details for emergency support.
We share the ECG with community organisations, service providers and police officers who help people experiencing homelessness and needing emergency support.
Public toilets and internet access
Find public toilets across Brisbane using the National Public Toilet Map.
You can also use the free Wi-Fi and computers at a Council library.
If you're experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness you can:
- call the Homeless Hotline: 1800 474 753
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contact Brisbane City Homelessness Services for support while you search and wait for stable accommodation
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search for nearby shelters, housing, food, health care and homeless services using Ask Izzy
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contact your nearest Housing Service Centre for information on housing and accessing rental assistance.
How organisations can help
We have a range of initiatives that support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
If you’re a not-for-profit or community organisation, you can get involved in ensuring that everyone in our city has a place to call home.
The Community Housing Partnership Project provides temporary accommodation to people experiencing and at risk of homelessness in Brisbane.
Expression of interest for housing providers
Council runs an expression of interest process every 5 years to enable housing providers to join the program.
The next EOI round is expected to open in late-2029.
The Pathways out of Homelessness Program gives multi-year funding for up to 3 years to Brisbane organisations helping those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The program also funds enhancements to existing programs that support pathways out of homelessnes.
This program provides funds to organisations for projects that support people who are homeless and those in social housing in Brisbane’s inner north.
The Housing Support Program aims to:
- fund services which focus on empowerment, life skills, employability and social inclusion for people who are homeless
- provide resources and equipment for these projects and programs
- provide packages to support individuals transitioning into social and affordable housing.
Do you need help?
Frequently asked questions
Our housing and homelessness strategy outlines our plans to address the challenges of population growth and changing housing needs.
Addressing homelessness is an increasing challenge for our city and enabling appropriate housing is the long-term solution we want to aim for.
For more information, read about how we're supporting housing supply.
The 2016 census reported 5,813 people homeless in Brisbane. This includes rough sleepers, people who are couch surfing and people living in cars, crisis accommodation and boarding houses.