Reformed property offenders are being helped into housing by the Bayside Housing Service Centre (HSC), providing them with a stable base from where they can rebuild their lives.
In a statement, the HSC, a division of the Department of Housing, said offenders were offered the chance to participate in the Property Offender Program (POP) as part of a community-based order.
“Those chosen to participate have a history of property offences and there is often a risk of them reoffending,” the HSC said.
“They’ve often been caught shop-stealing, or breaking into houses, and many are often sleeping rough.”
The HSC said it often saw female participants trying to reunite with their children, so a lot of the participants had high needs.
“Housing is one part, but participants often need additional support from Child Safety Services and Centrelink and access to employment, mental health, financial counsellors and alcohol and drug services to help them live a better life,” it said.
The Centre said the POP was led by Queensland Corrective Services and the Queensland Police Service and aimed to stabilise participants’ lives by connecting them with these crucial services.
It said POP was an initiative of Keep Communities Safe (KCS), one of the six priorities identified by the Government under the Our Future State: Advancing Queensland’s Priorities program.
HSC said this priority was focused on ensuring the safety and security of Queenslanders and was shaped by evidence that showed addressing the causes of crime and violence would best prevent crime and keep communities safe.
