Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, Brisbane Zero, a coalition of 32 organisations dedicated to ending homelessness, identified 984 families experiencing homelessness in Brisbane. This group included 1,539 children who were found sleeping rough on streets, in parks, cars, motels, or emergency accommodations.

More than 70% of these families had a single mother as the sole parent. Among the recorded families, 321 were homeless for the first time, 268 identified as First Nations, and 56 had been homeless for over 12 months. During the same period, 2,326 individuals were listed as experiencing homelessness, with the number nearly doubling compared to the previous year.

Salvation Army Acting Regional Manager Jonathan Dyer described the situation as "quite dire," particularly noting the alarming number of children affected. Micah Projects acting chief executive Bridget Kinch highlighted an increase in people with significant health and wellbeing needs, emphasizing that addressing homelessness requires coordinated efforts across health, housing, and community services.

Caitlyn Wheatley, a youth ambassador with the Foyer Foundation who has experienced homelessness, urged the public to remember that individuals sleeping rough are "someone's someone."

Brisbane Zero's strength lies in its collaborative approach, sharing information and coordinating support to house people as quickly as possible. The data snapshot helps understand homelessness's scale, identify support gaps, and track evolving needs in Brisbane.

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