A $21.7 million funding boost from the Palaszczuk government will aim to support Queenslanders struggling to find a home in the private rental market or who can’t afford their rent, while the government has also put aside funding for veterans experiencing homelessness.
According to Minister for Communities and Housing, Leanna Enoch, rental support was identified as a priority during October’s Queensland Housing Summit. That also saw the government double the size of its flagship Housing Investment Fund to $2 billion, and increase its target to commence 5,600 new social and affordable homes by June 2027, taking the government’s investment in social and affordable housing almost $4 billion.
“We know many individuals and families are doing it tough right now due to cost-of-living pressures, low vacancy rates in the private rental market and higher rents,” Enoch said. According to Domain, Brisbane’s rental vacancy rate was just 0.7% in November.
“This funding is targeted at helping people experiencing rental stress to remain in their home by making the current range of products and services available to more households and by boosting more intensive support for vulnerable Queenslanders experiencing housing stress.
“There are a wide range of products, services and supports that can help people, depending on their circumstances, and we want as many Queenslanders as possible to have access to this help when they need it.”
Nearly 200,000 forms of housing assistance were provided in 2021-22 to Queensland households or individuals, including emergency housing, social housing, private market assistance and homelessness services.
As part of the funding, $10 million will expand the government’s private rental assistance products and services to help more people who are currently ineligible. This will include increasing the income limits for these products and services, while around 1,000 extra households will be able to access bond loans, rental grants and rental security subsidies.
“These changes will be in place before Christmas, as we know the festive season can be a stressful time that puts extra pressure on some households,” Enoch said.
Another $11.7 million will be invested in tenancy sustainment responses for vulnerable Queenslanders, with the funding used for brokerage and the employment of additional homelessness support workers.
Enoch expects an additional 1,500 Queensland households in the private rental market and social housing and experiencing housing stress to benefit from these services.
“These services can help people who may be behind in their rent, have received a breach or eviction notice, are struggling to meet expectations for cleaning or maintenance of their rental property or who are moving into a home after being homeless,” Enoch said.
Veterans assistance
Meanwhile, the Queensland government will also give $1.8 million to the Salvation Army over three years to deliver a tailored housing and homelessness support program serving the state’s veteran community.
The funding is part of a broader $10 million support package improving the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of Queensland veterans and their families that was contained in the last state budget.
The Salvos are a major provider of housing and specialist homelessness services in Queensland, delivering temporary supported accommodation, community and affordable housing solutions and supports that are appropriate to people’s needs. They deliver a homelessness support program for veterans in collaboration with the RSL, and the $1.8 million allows their support services to be expanded for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
“Honouring the courage and sacrifice of our veterans isn’t just about medals and ceremonies, but about ensuring they receive the care and support they need to live safe, healthy and happy lives,” said Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Salvation Army state manager homelessness Queensland, Aaron Pimlott, said The Salvation Army is delighted to be able to partner with the Queensland government to deliver much-needed support to veterans who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
“Our ongoing efforts to end veteran homelessness can only be achieved by partnering with others,” he said.
