- The State Budget focuses on easing cost-of-living and investing in affordable housing
- $5 billion will be invested in the delivery of social housing and homelessness supports
- $322 million to build an additional 500 new social housing homes
The recently announced Queensland state budget revealed a significant emphasis on tackling the cost of living, with a pledge to commit to a record-breaking $5 billion investment in social and affordable housing.
$3 billion will be directed toward supporting the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025 and $2 billion to the Housing Investment Fund.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says, “We’re pulling every lever possible to ensure Queenslanders have a roof over their head.”
“This is a government and budget that’s focused on tackling the impacts of national cost-of-living and housing pressures.”
Per the 2021 Census, the number of Australians experiencing homelessness increased by 5.2% since 2016.
Joining the Queensland Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick says, “Right across the country, what we’re seeing is housing pressures having an impact, including in Queensland.”
“That’s why the Budget is locking in even more funding for social and affordable housing, and sees us continue our work with the private sector, community and housing organisations, and financial institutions to build, buy or lease more homes for Queenslanders.”
Points of investment
This gargantuan investment will also include:
- $322 million to expand the Quickstarts Queensland social housing construction program by delivering an additional 500 homes.
- $130 million every year will be drawn from the $2 billion Housing Investment Fund and funnelled to affordable and social housing outcomes.
- $249.1 million to retain and upgrade dwellings for social housing.
- $28 million directed toward the Immediate Housing Response Package in 2023-2024 to provide emergency accommodation for families living in insecure and unsafe conditions and rental support to help people maintain tenancies.
Improving housing outcomes for vulnerable groups
Approximately $128 million has been committed to improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples including dedicated funding to roll out the second First Nations Housing Action Plan and funding to deliver housing supply in 17 remote and discrete communities.
The Helping Seniors Secure Their Homes initiative will be bolstered to include the greater Cairns region and Toowoomba, with an additional $30 million in funding.
Additionally, $13.9 million will go towards on-site support at three former retirement villages turned into emergency accommodation in Redlands, Toowoomba and Clayfield.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon says every Queenslander deserves a safe and secure roof over their head.
“This Budget will build on our 74,000 existing social houses – places that thousands of Queensland families already call home.
“Because a home isn’t just some walls and a roof, it’s where you can get a head start on a good job, education or access to healthcare.”
