Quadrupling social housing funding, extending the First Home Owners’ Grant and unlocking abandoned, unused and empty properties are ways to begin conquering Queensland’s housing crisis, the peak body representing Queensland councils says.
Local Government Association of Queensland CEO Alison Smith said the peak body had pleaded with both levels of government to act on the LGAQ’s six-point action plan to end the desperate shortages hurting communities and families across the state.
“Every Queensland community deserves to be a liveable one and every Queenslander deserves the security of affordable and secure housing,” Ms Smith said.
“The work State has been undertaking with councils to progress local housing action plans alongside its record $2.9 billion funding spend has been much welcomed by the LGAQ and our member councils.
“It is clear, however, that more needs to be done.
“Long-standing housing shortages – as well as growth and affordability challenges – have impacted many regions and communities over the last decade.
“More recently, unprecedented low interest rates, sharply rising property prices, supply chain issues, significant labour shortage issues and scarcity of trades, have worsened the housing crisis and been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent severe storms and floods.
“The impact of this perfect housing storm on our State is resulting in a range of social challenges for individuals, families and local communities statewide including increased homelessness, mental health pressures, drug and alcohol abuse and crime rates.
“In some of our most vulnerable First Nations communities, overcrowding resulting from a shortage of housing has become a human rights issue and has escalated COVID-19 outbreaks during the pandemic.”
In May, the LGAQ and 12 other peak bodies and major organisations united to call for a National Housing Summit.
Ms Smith said a National Housing Summit would allow all three levels of government and industry to work together to begin addressing the complex issue – and work towards a solution in a strategic, coordinated and considered way.
The LGAQ’s six-point action plan:
- Convene a National Housing Summit and prepare a new national housing strategy in partnership with all levels of government as well as industry and community groups
- Quadruple capital investment in social housing in Queensland by allocating a further $4.8 billion over four years to increase social housing supply in areas of need
- Extend the First Home Owners’ Grant to be available for the purchase of any new dwelling, any existing dwelling and for the renovation and refurbishment of existing housing stock
- Unlock abandoned, unused and empty properties in Queensland to increase existing housing supply
- Commit to Closing the Gap and reduce overcrowding in remote and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by allocating $100 million per year for five years to increase housing supply
- Invest $200 million over four years to assist councils to develop and implement innovative housing partnerships.
Read more about the housing crisis in Queensland here.
For more information, please contact:
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor
Phone: 0432 681 664
Local Government Association of Queensland