A new Palaszczuk Government initiative that unlocks $2 billion worth of equity will provide more social and affordable housing for Queenslanders.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni announced the new Partnering for Growth framework in a presentation to community housing providers in Brisbane.
"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing more Queenslanders with more homes," Mr de Brenni said.
"What's needed is investment, right now, to get us ready for future demand, and that's just what Partnering for Growth will help us deliver.
"This initiative will enable new collaborations to reduce homelessness and create pathways to housing independence."
Partnering for Growth focuses on delivering individualised housing options, increasing the supply of social and affordable housing and providing the sector with a streamlined operating framework geared towards growth.
Mr de Brenni said community housing providers have an important role to play in delivering social and affordable homes at subsidised rates for low to moderate income earners.
"We're going to reduce red tape and duplication, while maintaining appropriate levels of accountability and transparency," Mr de Brenni said.
"We want the sector to leverage some of the significant investment made by the government and community housing organisations over the past decade.
"Until now we've placed too much emphasis on reporting of program funds rather than exploring how these funds can be better used to provide more housing and assistance for people in need.
"If we do this, we will be able to meet future demand and provide a broad range of accommodation options."
Partnering for Growth is already being welcomed by some of the state’s larger scale community housing providers.
The Palaszczuk Government’s community housing vehicle, Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) is embarking on a reinvigorated $222 million, four-year strategy to deliver 682 new affordable homes for Queenslanders in need.
Mr de Brenni said BHC will be the first ‘cab off the rank’ to deliver a plan under Partnering for Growth.
"The Palaszczuk Government will make a capital injection of $28 million to help BHC deliver new affordable homes for Queenslanders," said Mr de Brenni.
"This is the first five year development plan for a community housing provider which will fill the gap between social housing and home ownership for tens of thousands of Queenslanders.
"Once again, the Palaszczuk Labor Government is doing the heavy lifting where the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has failed to produce any meaningful policy to address housing affordability in the last 6 years," he said.
"Last year, more people bought their seventh home than those buying their first, yet all the Prime Minister is focused on is collecting donations from Queensland Liberals."
In contrast, the 682 affordable homes being delivered by the Palaszczuk Government and BHC will include:
- 172 affordable rental homes
- 90 new affordable homes for purchase
- 70 homes purchased via shared equity
- 200 build to rent homes
- 120 affordable retirement living units
- 30 new specialist disability accommodation homes
BHC Chair Eloise Atkinson said the company’s Affordable Housing Growth Strategy 2019-2023 was a response to the agenda outlined by the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 and would see a partnership with the Queensland Government to deliver hundreds of new homes.
"We understand the Queensland Government is very ambitious when it comes to identifying improved housing solutions," Ms Atkinson said.
"This growth strategy ensures that we are able to deliver a broader range of options for Queenslanders in housing need."
Details on the Queensland Government’s housing initiatives can be found at:www.hpw.qld.gov.au/housing
