Partnerships key to scaling social and affordable housing delivery in Queensland
New research released today by the Property Council of Australia and the Community Housing Industry Association Queensland (CHIA Queensland) has identified stronger partnerships between government, community housing providers, industry and investors as critical to increasing the supply of social and affordable housing across Queensland.
The report, Partnering for Purpose: Scaling Social and Affordable Housing Development Partnerships for Impact, was commissioned by the Property Council and CHIA Queensland and undertaken by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Through five case studies from Queensland and interstate, the research examines partnership models currently delivering social and affordable housing and identifies the conditions needed to scale those outcomes across the state.
Property Council Queensland Executive Director Jess Caire said the research highlighted that while partnership models may differ, the foundations for success remain remarkably consistent.
"Queensland's housing challenge is too significant for any one organisation or sector to solve alone. This research demonstrates that successful social and affordable housing outcomes are achieved when government, community housing providers, industry and investors work together, each contributing their unique expertise and capabilities."
"While government has always played the central role in the provision and funding of social housing, increasing supply at the scale required will depend on effective partnerships that bring together policy certainty, investment and delivery capability."
"The report shows there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different projects, communities and locations require different approaches, but successful outcomes are consistently underpinned by collaboration, capability and stable policy settings," Ms Caire said.
The research found that successful projects were enabled by flexible delivery models tailored to local circumstances, with strong partnerships consistently outperforming prescriptive approaches that attempt to apply a single solution across different markets and communities.
"Importantly, the findings demonstrate that lasting outcomes are best achieved through partnership rather than prescription. The focus should be on creating the conditions that enable organisations to work together to deliver more housing."
Community Housing Industry Association Queensland Chief Executive Officer Julie Saunders said the research reinforced the value of long-term collaboration across the housing sector.
"The demand for social and affordable housing continues to grow and addressing that challenge will require contributions from government, community housing providers, industry and investors."
"These case studies demonstrate the significant value that can be created when partners align around a shared purpose, clear objectives and a long-term commitment to delivery."
"This research provides practical insights that can help inform future projects and strengthen the partnerships needed to deliver more homes for Queenslanders."
Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O'Connor said the Crisafulli Government was backing partnerships that get more social and affordable homes built.
"After a decade of decline, we're changing the way social and affordable housing is delivered in Queensland by bringing government, community housing providers and industry together to build more homes, sooner.
"We've got record investment and a strong pipeline, and community housing providers are playing a much bigger role in turning that investment into more places for Queenslanders to call home.
"This report reinforces the change we're already seeing, strong partnerships, certainty and flexible delivery models can unlock more housing and help us deliver at the scale Queensland needs."
The report found that moving from individual project success to a more scalable and repeatable housing delivery system will require continued government leadership, stronger sector capability, simpler delivery pathways and stable policy settings that support investment and collaboration.
