A Toowoomba-based project training and employing 16 people who are experiencing homelessness is to be boosted with the addition of two custom fitted mobile coffee vans and a supply vehicle.
Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said the new vehicles would allow the organisation, 2nd Shot, to expand and help more people regain their independence by learning new skills.
“The Dignity First Fund was set up to support initiatives like 2nd Shot who are providing avenues for skill development and employment opportunities for homeless Queenslanders.
“The two mobile coffee vans and the supply vehicle will give this organisation a boost it really needs,” Mr de Brenni said.
“2nd Shot is already well known around Toowoomba for the work it does and their amazing coffee, after they received initial funding from the Palaszczuk Government’s Dignity First Fund back in 2016.
“The Toowoomba service has been operating successfully since then, but their ability to employ more people has been hampered by only having one van.
“I’m pleased that Round 3 funding has delivered two custom fitted coffee vans and a mobile vehicle, enabling this local business to keep on growing and giving more homeless Queenslanders a second shot,” said Mr de Brenni.
“A good coffee sets you up for the day, and a coffee at 2nd Shot also helps those in need of a fresh start.”
The Department of Housing and Public Works has funded 95 projects through three rounds of the Dignity First Fund so far and building on the investment made through this funding is a commitment of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2020 Action Plan.
Round four funding of $2.5 million has now been announced with applications sought for new projects to help Queenslanders experiencing homelessness.
In announcing the new round of funding, Housing Minister Mick de Brenni said it was time to think on the importance of what could be achieved when the whole community came together to address homelessness.
“The Queensland Government’s focus through Round 4 of the Fund is to provide additional support for those Queenslanders who were previously homeless, but who have found a place to live, to maintain and improve their circumstances,” Mr de Brenni said.
“We want to see projects that will provide sustainable improvements to a person’s situation and give them dignity that lasts.
“Projects such as those that provide people with essential life skills to give them a greater chance of sustaining a tenancy.
“And projects that help people make connections within their community, access other programs or provide practical living skills,” he said.
“We’re also seeking submissions that assist people into education, training and employment, enabling them to keep studying or working to minimise the risk of once again experiencing homelessness.”
