About Us
Who we are
Common Ground Queensland is registered as a community housing provider under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing. We provide secure, long term, safe and affordable supportive housing for people who have experienced chronic homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and those who need access to affordable housing.
Common Ground Queensland is a registered charity receiving funding from the Queensland Government Department of Housing and actively raises funds to do more for those we serve.
Our Vision & Mission
Vision:
Ending homelessness a person at a time with the communities in which we operate.
Mission:
To create supportive homes that honour local communities, respond to people’s needs and improve their wellbeing and connectedness.
What We Do
At Common Ground Queensland we provide property and tenancy management services for a range of supportive and affordable housing programs for individuals and families.
At Brisbane Common Ground (BCG) we provide both supportive housing and affordable housing. In this program we provide supportive housing for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness, and affordable housing for individuals on low incomes.
The Supportive Housing for Families Project (SH4F) offers families access to stable and affordable rental housing that is linked to a specialised family support program.
Our Community Supportive Housing (CSH) program works with support organisations to provide housing for refugee and asylum seekers who require support to sustain their tenancies. The housing used for this service is a mix of scattered site head leased properties and community held properties.
Our Programs
Brisbane Common Ground
Based in South Brisbane, the 14 story building has 146 units with a 50/50 mix of supportive housing and affordable housing.
There is onsite support available for tenants provided by our specialised support service partner, Micah Projects.
Supportive Housing For Families
This scattered site supportive housing model is based on models that have been effective in keeping families together. The program is offered to families with at least one child in the 0-5 year age range and is designed to help families find stability in the community while they access support.
Community Supportive Housing
Our Community Supportive Housing (CSH) program works with support organisations to provide housing for refugee and asylum seekers who require support to sustain their tenancies. The housing used for this service is a mix of scattered site head leased properties and community held properties.
What is Supportive Housing?
We understand that ‘Supportive Housing’ is a concept not well understand outside of the housing sector.
Supportive housing offers long term, safe, affordable housing that is intentionally linked to dedicated, tailored support services.
This approach is a solution that can end the cycle of homelessness for the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community. It offers a permanent alternative to rough sleeping, couch surfing and crisis accommodation.
How does it work?
The Common Ground Supportive Housing model is a Housing First approach, meaning that there is no behaviour change prerequisite for our tenants to be able to access the housing we offer them, and they are given full tenancy rights and standard rental conditions under the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA).
Fundamental to the success of supportive housing is the shared vision of a tenancy and property manager and a support provider who work in partnership with tenants to sustain their tenancies.
Permanent housing is the first step to stability. It allows people to more effectively deal with the challenges that had previously kept them homeless. Tenants are empowered to maximise their opportunities for an independent and healthy life.
Supportive Housing Principals
Design
A thoughtfully designed and well-maintained positive home environment that includes community spaces and opportunities for the wider community to participate.
Permanency & Affordability
Common Ground Queensland offers housing that is permanent, affordable and self-contained with rent less than 30% of income.
Tenancy Mix
There is a mix of tenants with a proportion having experienced homelessness and some who have not. The mix ensures a vibrant and diverse building community.
Safety
A concierge service is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure welcoming but controlled access to the building, while ensuring the tenants safety.
Support Services
Onsite support services offer a holistic, tenancy focused service to tenants who require support to remain housed and achieve their goals and aspirations.
Social Inclusion
Each element of supportive housing aims to create the greatest degree of empowerment and independence for individuals as well as a thriving community for tenants.
Get Involved
Join us in our journey to end homelessness! We believe that everyone has a right to live in dignity and have a safe place to call home. Homelessness is a solvable problem: your donation will help us to create homes for individuals and families in our community who are currently homeless.
