Emmanuel City Mission is set to provide crucial overnight sanctuary for people sleeping rough in Brisbane after receiving a significant $500,000 funding gift from Brisbane City Council’s 2025-26 budget.
A New Phase of Care.
The grant will allow the organisation to expand its operations from a day shelter into a night-time refuge. Operations manager Tim Noonan explained that the mission’s goal is to provide safety and sanctuary for people who have nowhere else to turn after dark. He stated that Brisbane’s streets are a dangerous and undignified place at night, making it difficult for people to move forward with their lives without the ability to rest in safety.
The plan is to begin the new service around September, starting with one night a week on Wednesdays. The mission intends to incrementally increase its overnight operating hours until it can offer a safe place for people seven days a week.
Addressing a Growing Need
The need for expanded services is clear, with demand on the centre growing substantially. Yesterday, 1 July, marked the first anniversary of the mission’s move to its larger Cordelia Street premises. In that time, the number of people it helps each day has more than doubled, jumping from 120 to 260. Mr Noonan suggested this sharp rise indicates how essential their services have become.
Currently, Emmanuel City Mission provides over 1,000 hot meals, 150 toiletry packs, and 100 loads of laundry every week. The new funding directly addresses a critical gap, as Mr Noonan noted there are no other services capable of taking up to 100 people off the streets each night and giving them a safe place to go.
Council and Community Partnership
The substantial grant strengthens a working relationship between the mission and Council. Mr Noonan said this partnership was particularly effective during the response to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, when the mission remained open as other services closed. He noted that Council worked “hand in glove” with them, offering support and funding for the additional costs incurred during the weather event.
He acknowledged the strong support from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and local Central Ward councillor Vicki Howard. The funding is part of Council’s commitment to helping break the cycle of homelessness in Brisbane, providing support one meal, one shower, and one safe night at a time. Mr Noonan also credited the local South Brisbane parish and parish priest Fr William Iuliano for making their work possible.
Published Date 06-July-2025
