Branch History

The Far North Queensland Branch, operating alongside the Cairns Housing Network, has been active since the early 1990's and applied to become a branch of Queensland Shelter in 1993.  Initially, resourcing was provided through the CSHA Consultation Project and has been supported by a range of service providers.  

Membership includes, Housing organisations (tenant advocate and provider services), community centres (community development workers), youth and family support services, supported accommodation and crisis accommodation services (SAAP/CAP), mental health and disability services, public and community housing tenants, local government representatives and other concerned community members.

The Housing Network and Shelter branch has a long history of campaigning for affordable housing and tenant rights in Far North Queensland, examples of this work includes:
- Affordable Housing Summit and the formation of the regional ‘Affordable Housing Action Group' (1995)

• Participating in the development of the ‘Far North Queensland (FNQ) 2010 Regional Plan' and the associated affordable housing strategy
• Developing campaign strategies in response to tenant databases, including a pre-election survey of candidates in the 1998 State election
• Participating in the Cairns Housing Network, mental health ‘Pathways Home' project, and
• Supporting the development of housing initiatives, including the Cairns ‘community boarding house'.

The Cairns Housing Network and Shelter Branch provide opportunities for workers, tenants and local government to involve themselves in regional housing issues on a regular basis. The network maintains a focus on the greater Cairns area to Cardwell.

The Housing Network and Shelter Branch meets monthly.