Regional Forum
Twice each year, Q Shelter hosts Regional Representatives from our state-wide network to discuss place-based housing and homelessness challenges, and opportunities specific to their regions. These discussions are then recorded in a communiqué, which we present to the Queensland Government. The regional forum provides an important opportunity to strengthen networks and make important connections across our large state.
Regional delegates have been part of Q Shelter’s structure for more than 30 years, and it is an important network for engagement and policy development, and as a platform to amplify new initiatives and regional priority actions.
In November 2023, Q Shelter welcomed delegates from 19 regions across Queensland who were joined by 10 place-based Service Integrations Coordinators.
The November 2023 Regional Forum Agenda included:
- A recap from the June 2023 Forum. You can read the June 2023 communique to Government here.
- Discussing November 2023 priorities
- Lack of social/affordable housing supply & appropriate housing solutions for specific cohorts
- Unaffordable rentals with extremely low vacancy rates & lack of employment and accommodation for key workers
- Limited crisis options resulting in increase in rough sleepers & the number of homeless families living in hotel accommodation
- Communiqué session with Department of Housing
- 14 leaders from the Department of Housing met with Regional Delegates. Q Shelter facilitated a Q & A session with Department panellists Mark Wall, General Manager Housing Delivery; Marie Crearie, Executive Director Programs; Kelly Managan, A/Executive Director Community Housing Delivery; James O’Brien, A/Executive Director Service Delivery.
- Key Questions focussed on:
- Housing Supply
- Support & Sustaining Tenancies
- Contracts and Funding
- Integration and System Improvements
- Department of Housing Workforce locations
After the Communiqué Session with the Department of Housing, representatives joined the CEO & Senior Leaders Forum for a welcome to Country from Shannon Ruska and guest presentations from The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon, Minister for Housing, Sarah Amos, A/Deputy Director General, Department of Housing, and Christopher Aston Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government, and Planning.
Following the presentations was a report on the interim findings of the Workforce Connect Survey, and a policy workshop where Regional Representatives and CEO Forum attendees contributed to Q Shelter’s Annual Policy Document, Better Together. The latest iteration of Better Together will be published shortly.
If you think you or your colleagues were featured in another photo taken over the two days and you’d like a copy, please contact the Q Shelter Communications Team with the details.
Video: Regional Forum & Queensland Peaks’ Partnership CEO and Leaders’ Forum
Learn more about the Regional Forum and CEO Forum in this video, captured during the June 2023 Forums.
