Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton has called on the Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon to urgently assist with funding for the Noosa Coolum Salvation Army to increase their existing crisis accommodation facilities.
“This essential project by our Noosa Salvos will provide an additional 10 crisis accommodation units with funds already committed,“ she said.
“Our State Government must fill the gap after an unsuccessful application to the Federal Government and as I have raised previously, emergency accommodation is a must. This, to provide for residents impacted by domestic and family violence (DFV), as well vulnerabilities including poor health that can impact anyone.
“This combined with the fabulous services our Salvos already provide will ensure that Noosans are well supported when facing hardships.”
Ms Bolton has worked with Noosa Mission Leader, Matthew Gluyas, along the way on this and other needs in our community, and thanked him and his teams for their ongoing commitment in this space.
“The Salvation Army are committed to being part of the solution to the ever-increasing need of refuge for those fleeing DFV,“ Mr Gluyas said.
“Over the past 18 months, we have been developing a housing project which will accommodate more than 10 families at a time and include wrap around supports to assist families in this traumatic time. We are grateful for the support of Sandy Bolton and look to the State
Government to act in funding this shovel ready project. Noosa deserves a safe and dignified response to DFV.”
Even with the successful partnerships such as between Coast 2 Bay and local Bendigo Branches which will deliver four units for DFV families, there is still a need for more.
“Utilising one of our Seeds for Change grants to kick start Womenkind in their efforts to fund one of these units in the Salvos project, is just one way as a community we can make change. As always, it takes a village,” Ms Bolton said.
In addition to this, Ms Bolton’s advocacy has continued to seek sites for interim solutions to housing needs while permanent housing projects that are in the pipeline move to funding stage.
“We have continued to fight for a portion of the former House with No Steps site, which is managed by Sunshine Coast Council as and even though we have State and Federal Government funded projects underway, it will be at least two years until they are constructed. Hence why I called on the Minister for Housing to intervene regarding the former House with No Steps site and now do so regarding the Salvos project,” Ms Bolton said said.
Updates on many matters she is working on, are available at SandyBolton.com/Noosa360
