The Queensland Government has released the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017 – 2027 -Building a better housing future for all Queenslanders.
This strategy is a 10 -year framework driving key reforms and targeted investment across the housing market, redefining how the Queensland government will deliver housing to support urban renewal, generate new jobs, provide affordable housing, and drive innovative housing design that responds to contemporary housing needs.
It also ensures that those most in need are supported by a safety net of targeted early interventions, flexible packages of support, and supportive social housing.
The objective of the strategy is for every Queenslander to have safe, secure, and affordable homes that meet their needs and enables participation in social and economic life.
More affordable and accessible housing is one of the key focuses of growth, and the Government is committed to reducing the barriers to accessing and sustaining tenancies, and delivering reforms in consumer protection, legislation, and improved housing design. The government will also be introducing strategies that give people a voice and greater access to information to make decisions about their housing future.
It is pleasing to see the commitment by government to building new public housing properties to national liveable housing design standards in line with community needs, and the strategy to work with the private market to encourage a greater supply of diverse housing options that can meet the needs of people, whatever their age or ability.
The government are investing $1.6 billion to deliver more social and affordable housing over the next 10 years. Government-led development has the capacity to be a catalyst for private market housing, and in some areas, retail and commercial development, and is expected to leverage at least 10% more affordable housing on top of government investment.
Within the first 5 years, the government has committed to deliver social housing in Cairns, Townsville, the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Logan, Redland, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and Toowoomba, with a total of 2,972 social homes, including 60 new homes in Central Queensland, and 56 new homes in the Wide Bay / Burnett area.
The Housing Strategy will also deliver:
- Improved access to safe and secure housing options for highly vulnerable young people exiting from out-of-home care and institutional settings, supporting their transition to independence
- Better access to suitable housing options including home ownership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Better protection through legislative reforms for older people living in retirement villages and residential parks
- Increased accessibility and adaptability of dwellings for older people living in public housing, supporting them to age in their homes
- Enhanced housing support for Seniors through the implementation of service improvements addressing the issues raised by the Advisory Taskforce on Residential Transition for Ageing Queenslanders
- A more holistic and person-centred approach linking people to housing and homelessness supports and services
- Early interventions, referrals and coordinated support for vulnerable Queenslanders to access and sustain housing
