Established in 2018, the Queanbeyan Housing Action Collective (Q-HAC) is a voluntary alliance of community organisations and individuals committed to addressing homelessness and housing affordability across the Queanbeyan region. Members meet monthly to identify innovative, collaborative responses to local housing challenges. KHC is a foundation member of Q-HAC.

Since its formation, Q-HAC has played a significant role in raising community awareness, advocating for policy reform, and supporting practical housing initiatives.

Community Awareness and Advocacy
Q-HAC has led a range of initiatives aimed at increasing public understanding of homelessness and housing insecurity, including:

•  Hosting the Creating a Better Queanbeyan Forum in 2018;

•  Developing The Right to a Home issues paper and presenting it to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council in 2018;

•  Designing and delivering the 24 Hours Without participatory events in 2019 and 2025, enabling community members to experience actual local homelessness scenarios over a 24-hour period.

 

Sleepbus and Night Podz Initiative
Q-HAC has also been instrumental in delivering safe and secure sleeping options for vulnerable community members.

 

Key milestones include:

•  Hosting a fundraising dinner and auction in 2019 to launch a campaign to raise $100,000 to bring a Sleepbus service to Queanbeyan as a safer alternative to rough sleeping;

•  Successfully achieving the fundraising target in 2020;

•  Welcoming the commencement of the Sleepbus service in 2021;

•  Supporting the transition of the Sleepbus into community ownership as Queanbeyan Night Podz in 2025, now operating seven nights per week.

 

Affordable Housing Strategy Advocacy

Q-HAC has been a strong advocate for long-term housing policy reform within the region. Its contributions include:

•  Engaging local council candidates in 2021 to increase awareness of homelessness, housing stress, and the need for an Affordable Housing Strategy;

•  Presenting in support of a motion to develop an Affordable Housing Strategy at a Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council meeting in 2022;

• Participating in the implementation working group following council adoption of the strategy in 2024, with involvement continuing.

 

Partnerships and New Accommodation Initiatives
Through collaboration and partnership, Q-HAC members have initiated the development of new accommodation responses, including:

•  Partnering with the Braidwood Life Centre to support the ongoing operation of Gumnut Cottage Transitional Accommodation from 2023;

• Working with St Vincent de Paul and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council to pilot a tiny house project for crisis and transitional accommodation, Q-HAC

 

Partnerships and New Accommodation Initiatives

•  Member collaboration and partnership has resulted support from QPRC in a crown land transfer that further contributed to a successful funding for transitional accommodation for women at risk of or experiencing homelessness 55yrs and over – 2025 ongoing

• Two members collaborative efforts have resulted in funding from the NSW Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund supporting crisis and transitional accommodation – 2024 ongoing.