St Vincent de Paul Qld welcomes new home for Mackay community support services

Mackay residents will gain better access to local support services and community housing with the official opening of St Vincent de Paul Queensland's new Mackay Community Support Centre on Monday, 19 October.

The two-storey, multipurpose facility includes six integrated community homes for locals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and will also provide Mackay locals experiencing hardship with access to multiple support services including specialist homelessness, housing and family support.

The Centre also includes a food pantry and meeting spaces. It will provide a new space for Members of St Vincent de Paul Queensland in Mackay to continue their work helping people in times of need and connecting them to essential services in the community.

Proudly funded by the Queensland Government, in partnership with participating mineral resources industry parties, the Queensland Resources Council and its members, the new facility has been delivered by St Vincent de Paul Queensland and its subsidiary organisation Vinnies Housing. 

“This project is part of our commitment to Queensland to boost our response to rising cost of living and housing pressures and provide a hand-up to families and individuals in need,” Chief Executive Officer Joe Duskovic said.

“Residents of the six community housing units will also have access to community support to provide a pathway out of homelessness and housing insecurity

“This exciting project will allow us to deliver even more for the Mackay community, continuing our mission to help Queenslanders in need and connect them with critical support services in their region.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of the State Government for their support in allowing us to extend our help further for Mackay residents experiencing hardships and help strengthen community connection, wellbeing and resilience.”

Representing the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie MP, Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the new Community Support Centre would provide practical help for Mackay locals who need it most.

“This new centre will make it easier for people in Mackay to access the support they need, whether they are facing housing insecurity or other hardships," he said.

“It’s vital we build a safe and welcoming community. Supporting regional Queenslanders through difficult times will go a long way towards creating a stronger Mackay,” he said.

“After more than two decades as a police officer, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of protecting our vulnerable and the importance of intervention services to break down barriers to safety and community inclusion.”

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said he welcomed the boost in services for Mackay residents.

"Housing affordability and housing security are challenges that affect every community, and Mackay is no exception," he said.

"This is why projects like this are so important. They don't just provide a roof over someone's head, they help people rebuild stability, reconnect with support services and create a pathway to a better future.

"The new Mackay Community Support Centre is a practical example of what can be achieved when government, community organisations and industry work together to address local needs."

The Mackay Community Support Centre is one of several projects underway by the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland to deliver more than 500 supported community homes across the state.

In the last 12 months, the Society supported more than 6,000 Mackay residents in need.