The Salvation Army starts redevelopment at the old Centennial Lodge on Sheridan Street in Cairns

The Salvation Army has broken ground on a new housing project to address homelessness in the region, as figures reveal 9 out of every 100 of Queensland’s homeless youth live in Cairns.

The Salvation Army has broken ground to begin construction on the new community housing project on Sheridan Street, Cairns North. The 40 new fit for purpose dwellings will replace the old emergency accommodation on the same site.. Picture: Brendan Radke

Nine out of every 100 of Queensland’s homeless youth live in Cairns — a figure which underscores the urgent need for action.

After a five year wait the Salvation Army has broken ground on a major housing redevelopment in Cairns North aimed at tackling the region’s homelessness crisis.

The project will transform the worn-out Centennial Lodge on Sheridan Street into 40 new dwellings for people in need of emergency, longer-term, or community housing. The complex will feature 38 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units, all linked by covered walkways.

Salvation Army Queensland state manager Aaron Pimlott described the moment key stakeholders gathered on May 9 to break ground as “quite surreal” but filled with gratitude.

Salvation Army Far North Queensland captains Ben Johnson and Emma Johnson at the site of the new buildings with state manager for homelessness Aaron Pimlott. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I just felt an amazing sense of achievement,” he said.

“To get this far with any large development, especially in the not-for-profit and community housing sector, is significant.”

Since 2006, the original lodgings have supported the Far North community as emergency and transitional accommodation, but the facilities had deteriorated significantly. The outdated units once housed individuals and families in cramped studios without proper laundry or cooking amenities.

Residents were rehoused by December 2024, and the Cairns salvos team continues to provide mobile support to about 110 adults and up to 50 dependants.

“We’re still helping people navigate the housing system, find affordable housing, and maintain their tenancies,” Mr Pimlott said.

This is a joint venture between the Queensland Government and the Salvation Army. Salvation Army state manager for homelessness Aaron Pimlott, state leader Mark Everitt, Member for Barron River Bree James, Bryant Building Contractors director Dan Fragg and Salvation Army chief executive Chris Karagiannis celebrate the start of construction. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Supportive housing and social housing models help people reach their goals, no matter their age.”

The new complex, to be known as the Salvo’s Housing and Homelessness Service, will consist of two residential buildings and a third dedicated to a support services hub. Each unit will include a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, study space, and a private balcony or courtyard.

“Wherever we’re building, especially in community housing, we consider the impact on the area and the people,” Mr Pimlott said.

Mr Pimlott, who also specialises in homelessness services for children, said the pandemic had shifted the “face of homelessness,” with more women-led families and children sleeping rough or in cars.

“The impact on children is significant,” he said.

“We’ve been including child-inclusive practice in our case management over the last four to five years.”

Breakdown of distribution for the 450 young people experiencing homelessness in 2021, data gathered from the nationwide Census. Picture: Canva.

According to the 2021 Census, 2,232 people were experiencing homelessness in Cairns.

Of these, 450 were aged between 12 and 24, making up 20.2 percent of the local homeless population and 9.32 percent of Queensland’s homeless youth.

Nearly half (49.89 percent) of these young people identified as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both.

A further 446 were living in marginal housing such as overcrowded dwellings or improvised shelters.

“In Cairns, we support a higher percentage of First Nations people compared to places like Brisbane,” Mr Pimlott said.

As part of the redevelopment, the project team worked with Gimuy Walubara Yidinji elder Uncle Peter Hyde, whose input informed the building’s colour scheme — white, yellow, red ochre, and a deep green in recognition of Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Gimuy Walubara Yidinji elder Uncle Peter Hyde, whose input informed the building’s colour scheme. Picture: Brendan Radke.

“It was really important to bring a First Nations voice into the design,” Mr Pimlott said.

“The final colours were a result of his input and a show of respect for the land and the community.”

The support hub will be used by the Salvation Army and other providers to deliver mental and physical health services, skills development, and rehabilitation support.

“We envision a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring,” Mr Pimlott said.

“Yes, we need more suitable, affordable housing — but we also need a collective response.”

Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Originally published as The Salvation Army starts redevelopment at the old Centennial Lodge on Sheridan Street in Cairns