The St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland will open its new Mackay Community Support Centre on October 19, giving locals experiencing hardship better access to housing and support services. Source: The Catholic Leader.
The two-storey, multipurpose facility includes six integrated community homes for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
It will also offer homelessness, housing and family support, along with a food pantry and meeting spaces.
The centre will give Vinnies Members in Mackay a new base for their work of helping people in times of need and connecting them with essential services.
The project was funded by the Queensland Government in partnership with participating mineral resources industry parties, the Queensland Resources Council and its members. It was delivered by the society and its subsidiary, Vinnies Housing.
Society chief executive Joe Duskovic said the centre was part of its commitment to boost the response to rising cost-of-living and housing pressures.
“This project is part of our commitment to Queensland to boost our response to rising cost of living and housing pressures and provide a hand-up to families and individuals in need,” Mr Duskovic said.
“Residents of the six community housing units will also have access to community support to provide a pathway out of homelessness and housing insecurity.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of the state Government for their support in allowing us to extend our help further for Mackay residents experiencing hardships and help strengthen community connection, wellbeing and resilience.”
Mackay mayor Greg Williamson welcomed the boost to local services, describing the centre as a practical example of government, community organisations and industry working together.
The Mackay centre is one of several projects underway as the society works to deliver more than 500 supported community homes across Queensland.
In the past 12 months, the society has supported more than 6000 Mackay residents in need.
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Vinnies to open new Mackay centre with six homes for people facing homelessness (The Catholic Leader)
