“We’re having conversations with young people about what sustainability is and what we can all do to reduce our footprint.”
Nicki Kemp, Chameleon House
Chameleon Housing provides accommodation and support for young people on the Redcliffe Peninsula. A registered charity, it runs a youth shelter (Chameleon House) and five houses for young families. As well as assisting with accommodation, Chameleon helps young people with education, employment and training. The team mentors young people to help them develop life skills such as budgeting, cooking, parenting and healthy living.
Their mission is to “provide a safe home, care, and support for young people and young families who are homeless, and to enable them to access the services and support they require.”
The team pictured at the Chameleon Housing Youth Conference 2024
Improving sustainability with the help of Green Street
Chameleon Housing’s manager, Nicki Kemp, is a member of Green Street’s Redcliffe Sustainable Business Network. Keen for the organisation to improve sustainability where possible, she and a team member attended one of the network’s start-up workshops. They defined goals, analysed their current situation and considered how Green Street resources could help.
After doing a Green Street Score for Chameleon House and reviewing which Green Street Badges they could earn, Nicki and the team identified a few areas to focus on. They discussed concepts with young people at the shelter and are now in the process of making various adjustments to improve sustainability.
At the Redcliffe Network start-up workshop, Nicki and other members used a worksheet to analyse sustainability actions, barriers, aids and opportunities.
Nicki’s sustainability story
Nicki presented a brief overview of Chameleon Housing’s approach to sustainability at the second workshop in December 2024 for Redcliffe Sustainable Business Network members. She described what steps they’re taking, and how they work together to make simple but important changes. Watch the short video…
“We’ve optimised our energy consumption by using larger appliances during daylight hours, which has contributed to reducing our overall energy usage.”
Nicki, Chameleon House
Sustainability initiatives at Chameleon House
After assessing priorities with the help of Green Street and discussing ideas with the staff and young people at Chameleon House, the organisation has been making many small steps towards sustainability. These include:
- Involving stakeholders: having conversations with young people at Chameleon House to discuss what sustainability is and how everyone can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint
- Cleaning solar panels: maximising energy output from rooftop solar
- Turning off fans: encouraging people to turn off fans when leaving a room, because fans cool people not rooms
- Turning off lights: saving energy by turning off unnecessary lights
- Using appliances efficiently: running dishwashers and dryers during the day so they can use solar power
- Reducing food waste: collaborating with Coles supermarket and SecondBite to turn waste food into healthy meals for young people. Food is used for cooking programs with young people, and meals can be frozen and taken to young parenting families
- Tracking progress: reviewing sustainability measures already in place, doing the Green Street score and looking for further improvements.
“These small, manageable adjustments have been well received by both our young people and staff. We’re continuously evolving and integrating new practices as they arise – we are a work in progress.”
Nicki, Chameleon House
Reducing food waste: This delicious pie cooked at Chameleon House exemplifies how food donations via Coles and SecondBite are transformed into nutritious meals. Young people learn how to make healthy meals as part of cooking programs run by the shelter.
To help others in the community, Chameleon House has produced a family-friendly Home Cooking Book. Proceeds from sales of the cookbook go to Chameleon’s Living Skills Program.
“We’ve taken proactive steps to minimise food waste by preparing meals together with our young people, which not only supports families in need but also allows us to freeze leftovers for future use.”
Nicki, Chameleon House
Collaborating with the community
Community connection is at the heart of Chameleon Housing’s approach. They build relationships with local businesses, residents and charitable organisations to help achieve their objectives and connect young people with the community.
The benefits go both ways, boosting the social sustainability of partnering organisations. Take a look at the Chameleon Housing supporters page for an overview of the organisations supporting or partnering with them in various ways – from pro bono services and promotions to donations and practical assistance.
Planting: Beautifying the garden at Chameleon House creates a welcoming environment for young people, thanks to support from Bunnings.
Further information
Chameleon House:
Join a Sustainable Business Network
Chameleon Housing is a member of the Redcliffe Sustainable Business Network. Members connect via local events and Groups on Green Street. If you’d like to join a local network (or create a new one), contact Green Street.
Related Green Street resources
- Green Street Badges: Energy, Education, Good Food, Local Action, Wellbeing
- Engaging stakeholders: Clues on Conversations, Green Street Café
- Understanding concepts: Glossary of sustainability terms
