The Queensland Government’s $350 million Homes for Queenslanders fund has attracted more than 220 applications in two weeks.
These applications equate to potentially more than 12,000 new homes and 4,000 lots.
The fund – part of the State Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan – covers the cost of infrastructure charges and development application fees for new homes that are well located to existing services, public transport, schools and jobs.
Of the applications received, more than 60 per cent relate to projects with development approvals that could be brought forward.
By covering known infrastructure costs, the fund will also prevent these costs being passed on to homebuyers, promoting housing choice and improving affordability.
Applications have been lodged for a range of homes from gentle density to apartments from the Gold Coast, Darling Downs, regional towns and cities all the way north to Cooktown.
The government is now in the process of assessing applications, and where a project doesn’t fit the criteria, unfunded allocation will be released in new rounds to keep accelerating the delivery of new homes.
The guidelines make clear that affordability is critical and will be prioritised through the assessment process.
The fund joins a number of initiatives under the Homes for Queenslanders plan to unlock more homes faster, like a new pathway to fast-track developments with a focus on affordable housing, and a growth monitoring team to make sure targets are being met and provide advice on how to unblock supply.
Queensland Minister for Housing, Meaghan Scanlon, said that the government is slashing red tape and supporting industry to build more homes faster.
“What’s clear is there are pockets of land close to public transport, jobs and schools that are underutilised. That needs to change if we’re to meet the demands for housing in Queensland,” Minister Scanlon said.
“We’ve listened to industry who told us they have projects ready to go, they just need that little bit of extra support to make it shovel-ready.
“We now have evidence that this lever should be pulled because it is has attracted significant interest in bringing forward new supply.”
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