YMCA Brisbane officially opened its newest affordable housing complex on Tuesday 4 April 2023, offering safe accommodation for Queenslanders who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

The new Slacks Creek complex, officially named ‘Edwards Place, is the third affordable housing development established and managed by the Y Brisbane and includes 18 one and two-bedroom self-contained units.

The name ‘Edwards Place’ was chosen in honour of long-term YMCA Director and volunteer, Richard Edwards OAM, who has tirelessly supported the Y locally and nationally for more than four decades.

Richard and his family attended the official opening, along with Hon Leeanne Enoch (Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts), Cr Mindy Russell (Logan City Councillor for Division 3), the complex's builders, architects and of course the wonderful tenants who call Edwards Place home.

The Y Brisbane partnered with the Queensland Government on the project to address the state’s housing crisis and help deliver housing for those in need.

Damian Foley, YMCA Brisbane CEO, said funding provided by the Queensland Government “allowed us to develop a wonderful facility that’s providing housing for those at risk of homelessness” and that the Y Brisbane “looks forward to an ongoing relationship with the Department to continue to provide solutions for those struggling with housing”.

In addition to providing accommodation, the Y Brisbane also works with tenants to address the issues and barriers that contributed to their homelessness, empowering them to gain autonomy, independence and enhanced quality of life.

The Y also operates 109 long-term community housing units across two properties in Nerang on the Gold Coast – Melville Place and Nowell B Taylor.

Tenants are referred to the YMCA by the Department of Housing.