2019

Commenced discussion with the Department of Housing and Public Works on the development of a Supportive Housing for Families initiative.

$65,000 paid in wages to tenants who work with CGQ in the maintenance and function teams.

Undertook building upgrades to improve tenant amenity – upgrades included the installation of marine carpet to the residential corridors and awnings to the western side of the building to reduce the impact of the afternoon sun to tenants’ units and new computers were also purchased for the Training Room.

Through the Containers for Change recycling scheme and their fundraising partnership with the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre (BCEC), BCEC were able to raise $8,000 through their collection of used bottles - this was transferred as a donation to CGQ.

We completed our 5th year of tenant surveys. The results show that tenants hold a high regard for the building and the services provided at Brisbane Common Ground. 84% of tenants who responded to the survey said the “felt comfortable/settled in their home”.

The average length of stay for our formerly homeless tenants was 50 months as of 30 June 2019.

We initiated a comprehensive review of the Common Ground Queensland Tenant Handbook - obtaining tenant feedback and suggestions for improvement was a critical phase of the review.

2018

Launched BCG App – enables tenants to access a range of online functions, provide feedback and stay up to date with building news at the touch of a button.

For the second year in a row, CGQ were invited by QPAC to collect donations for QPAC’s Spirit of Christmas concerts. Our volunteers were decked out with tinsel and reindeer headpieces and did a fantastic job, with the generous donations of concert goers totalling an amazing $8,415.

Major review and refinement of Risk Management Framework and Business Continuity Management System.

2017

Developed a 3 Year Strategic Plan.

Completed the ‘Odd Fish’ mosaic project and installed panels in the backyard.

Common Ground Queensland hosted an afternoon tea with Rosanne Haggerty, the President and CEO of US-based Community Solutions during her Brisbane visit to support the launch of the 500 Lives, 500 Homes initiative; ‘Housing First Roadmap to Ending Homelessness’.

Griffith University completed a research study that investigated the impact of group fitness intervention on wellbeing of individuals who have experienced homelessness or disadvantage – the study found that the on-site gym exercise initiative was effective in improving participants’ physical, psychological and social wellbeing.

Expanded tenant employment opportunities within the Maintenance Team.

Renewed collaborative agreement with QPAC – invited to fundraise at QPAC’s Spirit of Christmas concerts.

Hope St Café and Inclusive Health Clinic opened for business.

2016

The Department of Housing and Public Works publicly released the Brisbane Common Ground Evaluation: Final Report – the report details the findings of the research undertaken by the University of Queensland’s Institute of Social Science Research to examine whether the Brisbane Common Ground initiative has been successful in assisting tenants to maintain secure housing and improve health, wellbeing, social and economic outcomes. Researchers accessed Queensland Government administrative data to understand tenants’ usage and costs of emergency and crisis services in the year prior to being housed at Brisbane Common Ground and the first twelve months of their tenancy. The costs of providing supportive housing were also analysed. The analysis identified that the costs of supportive housing and services for twelve months is $13,100 less per person per year than leaving people chronically homeless and accessing crisis services. Find out more about the outcomes here (link to snapshot).

Completed the installation of the ‘Colour, Community & Hope’ mosaic – unveiled September.

Published a joint venture research paper: Families Caught in the Homelessness and Child Protection Cycle – A Supportive Housing Model for Keeping Families Together.  We conducted this research project in partnership with Micah Projects Limited (MPL), the Department of Housing and Public Works and the Department of Child Safety.  The project also included broad engagement with local homelessness and family service providers with funding provided by the Queensland Community Foundation.

Commercial space activation.

2015

Secured a BCC Suburban Crime Prevention Grant to install a mosaic sculpture in the Cross-block Link - partnership formed with TAFE Brisbane Queensland to deliver the project.

Received a SUEZ Community Grant to purchase additional fitness and training aides for the on-site gym.

Completed the backyard revitalisation and renovation and fit out of the on-site gym – officially opened August.

On-site gym opened its doors in November – movement sessions made available to tenants at no cost thanks to the volunteer work of exercise physiologist, Tim Douge.

Leveraged the growing interest in Brisbane Common Ground’s Function Rooms to create employment and training opportunities for tenants.

Created tenant employment positions within the CGQ Maintenance Team.

Secured a grant from the Queensland Community Foundation to develop a supportive housing model for families.

81% of our formerly homeless tenants remained in their tenancy for more than 12 months

Implemented and made available free Wi-Fi services to tenants of Brisbane Common Ground with over 80 tenants currently signed up

Development and launch of new website

Received a substantial grant from the Gaming Machine Community Benefit Fund to commence the "Our Common Spaces" project which will see the transformation of the buildings backyard and other common areas in 2015

Successful first year with the achievement of targets for tenancy sustainment, property management, and financial performance

Launch event for 2 lives documentary film, created by an award winning film maker, depicting the journey of two Brisbane Common Ground tenants

Hosted a networking event for housing and support providers, with a guest speaker from USA Community Solutions.

Commenced a community development project with tenants of Brisbane Common Ground working together to determine use of common spaces

Contract and funding negotiations with Department of Housing and Public Works

Commenced tenanting in July to fill 146 vacancies

Achieved full occupancy in November  - meeting the 17 week target

Second successful fundraising dinner event held with guest speaker Karen Hawke, tenant from Common Ground Adelaide

Commenced "Digital Inclusion" fundraising project to install wi-fi service at Brisbane Common Ground

Appointed as Property and Tenancy Manager at Brisbane Common Ground

Common Ground Queensland visit Common Ground New York to understand operations

Successful fundraising dinner with Roseanne Haggerty, founder of Common Ground USA

Registered as a housing provider under the Housing Act 2003

Contributed to the design elements of Brisbane Common Ground

Community advocacy, partnership development

Intensive research and preparation for completion of tender

Development of Supportive Housing Framework

Fundraising and advocacy campaign for a solution to homelessness

In August, the Federal Government announced funding for Brisbane Common Ground

Common Ground Queensland Incorporated as a company limited by guarantee