Brisbane, May 4, 2025 — In a powerful display of leadership off the field, Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has invested more than $850,000 of his personal funds to purchase and transform a dilapidated inner-city Brisbane house into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless and at-risk youth.
Reynolds, known for his on-field precision and off-field humility, announced the initiative at a press conference outside the renovated property in the suburb of West End on Saturday morning. The 34-year-old playmaker, who has led the Broncos since 2022, said the project was inspired by stories he heard from young people during community outreach programs and his own experiences growing up in inner-city Sydney.
“This is more than just bricks and mortar,” Reynolds said, standing alongside local youth workers and representatives from the Brisbane City Council. “This is about giving young people a real shot at turning their lives around—a safe space, a bed, a hot meal, and the chance to plan for a better future.”
The property, a once-abandoned two-storey Queenslander, has been fully restored and refitted to accommodate up to 12 youths aged between 16 and 24. It includes shared bedrooms, a full kitchen, communal lounges, mental health consultation rooms, and learning spaces equipped with computers and job-readiness resources.
Reynolds personally funded the purchase of the home and contributed to the renovation costs, which totalled more than $850,000. The shelter, named The 7 House in tribute to Reynolds’ jersey number and symbolic reference to hope and resilience, will be operated in partnership with the Brisbane Youth Services (BYS) and local social workers. Reynolds said he has no plans to brand the initiative under his name or make it a “celebrity cause.”
“I don’t want the attention,” he said. “I want people to focus on the kids, on the issues, and on the solutions we can create together. I’ve been blessed with a career and a platform—not everyone gets that. But everyone deserves a chance.”
The announcement comes at a time when youth homelessness in Queensland continues to rise. According to Mission Australia, over 28,000 young Australians are homeless on any given night, with a significant portion of those living in Queensland’s urban centres.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner praised Reynolds’ contribution as “one of the most meaningful and hands-on acts of philanthropy we’ve seen from a public figure in recent years.”
“It’s one thing to write a cheque. It’s another to invest your heart and soul, your time and your energy, into creating something like this,” said Schrinner. “Adam is not only a leader on the field—he’s a role model for what community leadership truly looks like.”
Teammates, fans, and fellow athletes have also flooded social media with praise for the initiative. Broncos teammate Payne Haas posted on Instagram, “Proud of our captain. This is what real leadership looks like. Respect.”
BYS CEO Natasha Martin said the facility would offer not just a roof over people’s heads but a pathway out of homelessness.
“We will provide trauma-informed care, 24-hour support, counselling, and connections to employment and education pathways,” Martin said. “The youth who come through these doors will be supported, not judged. And thanks to Adam’s generosity, this house will change lives.”
Reynolds said he plans to stay actively involved in the home’s ongoing development, including attending monthly youth advisory meetings and supporting mentorship initiatives. He is also exploring ways to create similar facilities in other parts of Queensland, particularly in regional areas where youth homelessness is often underreported.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Reynolds said. “I’ll be back here next week, helping set up the study rooms. This is just the beginning.”
With The 7 House set to officially open its doors next month, community advocates hope Reynolds’ initiative will inspire more private citizens, athletes, and public figures to get involved in long-term solutions to homelessness.
For now, Reynolds’ bold move has sparked a new conversation across Brisbane—one of hope, compassion, and the belief that true heroes wear more than just jerseys.