ABSTRACT
Helen Wood, Chair, Brisbane Youth Service Board
The Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 commits a $1.8 billion investment toward improving the current housing situations of the vulnerable. While service delivery is often considered the most practical and worthwhile area for expenditure, a large focus of the Strategy is on prevention and early intervention through investment in corporate governance and strategic business areas.
While many see ‘feeding the corporate agenda’ as an ineffective use of resources and a diversion of funding from service delivery, if done effectively, good governance, strategic leadership and an effective corporate business model increases an organisation’s ability to not only do more to assist the vulnerable, but also to deliver services in the most effective way. Ultimately, if we are without effective governance, we are without strategic direction and sustainability.
The purpose of this article is to show a clear link between effective governance and strategic business focus with strong promotion of the core values of the organisation and its service delivery approach. If an effective balance can be created, implemented and maintained then this enables more effective and efficient service delivery in the homelessness sector.