THE Queensland government is calling on more homeowners across the state to put forward vacant dwellings as part of a $40 million social housing scheme that has struggled to take off amid a severe stock shortage.
The Palaszczuk government’s “Help to Home” initiative was introduced last year as part of a five-year housing and homelessness plan to play a part in servicing the 27,000-plus households on the state’s social housing register.
It sees new or not previously rented vacant properties placed under a headlease to the government and then sub-leased to a community housing provider. As part of the arrangement, the government guarantees rent to the owner for two years.
However, the ultra-tight vacancy market – much of the state reported a ninth consecutive quarter of sub-1% vacancy rates – has meant few dwellings have been offered up to the scheme, which was targeting 1,000 properties in its application period between 10th June and the end of October but only 53 were taken up. The scheme’s application period has now been extended until June and take-up as increased to 116.
Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch encouraged more Queensland homeowners to submit an expression of interest to be a part of Help to Home.
“I am pleased that so many vulnerable Queenslanders have received housing through Help to Home since it was launched.
“Expressions of interest are still open for vacant, stand-alone houses, single or multi-unit properties that may be new to the market or not previously available for rent, including short-term or holiday accommodation or a property that has previously been used for commercial purposes.”
Tenants in Help to Home properties are managed by community housing providers such as Mangrove Housing.
“As one of the first community housing providers to be allocated a property, we are pleased to back the Help to Home initiative and its ability to generate supply in a very tight housing market,” Mangrove Housing CEO Teresa Reed said.
“Help to Home will improve the lives of some of the most marginalised members of our community.”
A recent survey conducted by AHURI exploring the impact of the pandemic on the Australian rental sector found rapid house price rises and reduced rental affordability to be the result of the pandemic and the ineffective responses to it.
