Project partners and supporters

Brisbane Common Ground is an initiative of the Queensland Government, developed in partnership with the Australian Government, Grocon Constructors and Micah Projects. Common Ground Queensland Limited, an advocate for the Common Ground model and a supporter of the Australian Common Ground Alliance, has also contributed to the design.

Australian Government

In December 2008, the Federal Government made a national commitment to homelessness when it released its White Paper on Homelessness: The Road Home. The Road Home sets the strategic agenda for reducing homelessness by half by 2020 and offering supported accommodation to all people sleeping rough.

To support the 2020 targets, the Australian Government is providing around $40 million for land and construction of Brisbane Common Ground under its Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

Queensland Government

The Department of Communities is developing Brisbane’s Common Ground building in partnership with the Department of Public Works.

Funding is being provided through the Department of Communities’ capital works budget for construction. In addition, $1.2 million per year for three years is being provided through the National Partnership Agreement for Homelessness for on-site support services (and interim service delivery prior to completion of the building).

Grocon

Grocon Constructors, one of Australia’s largest development and construction companies, has been appointed as builder and developer of Brisbane’s Common Ground project.

Grocon became involved in Common Ground in 2007 after CEO Daniel Grollo learnt of the concept when attending a breakfast with New York founder Rosanne Haggerty. As part of its corporate commitment to community, Grocon decided to help in the most practical way it could, pledging to build the facilities in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane at cost, with no profit or margin.

Micah Projects

Not-for-profit local support and advocacy service provider, Micah Projects, will provide the on-site support services in the Brisbane Common Ground building.

With a proven record of working with homeless people and projects associated with homelessness, Micah Projects will be available to tenants 24/7 to support them in whatever it takes to sustain their tenancies and regain stability in their lives to participate successfully in their community.

Tenancy manager

An onsite property and tenancy manager will be appointed later this year to maintain the building and grounds and manage the tenancies of people living in the building.

Importantly, they will work cooperatively with the onsite support service provider, Micah Projects, to ensure the tenants meet their obligations to maintain their tenancy.

Supporter

Brisbane City Council

Brisbane City Council, a key stakeholder and funder of responses to homelessness in the inner city, is providing support through reduced construction fees, the savings of which will go towards increasing the building’s comfort and convenience. The Council will also partner in streetscaping in the area, ensuring that the external environment expresses the vision for the Kurilpa Precinct, one of seven new precincts under Council’s new South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan.

Contributor

Common Ground Queensland Limited

Common Ground Queensland Ltd was established in 2008 with a vision to bring the supportive housing model to Queensland. They are a supporter of the Australian Common Ground Alliance and have provided a valuable link to Common Ground in New York.