The Queensland Government has reported that almost 5,000 new social and affordable homes are under construction or under contract across the state.
The construction boom will boost Queensland’s total social and affordable housing supply by more than six per cent, securing housing foundations to ease pressure from the housing crisis.
Data showing the regional breakdown of the pipeline shows homes are being delivered in every corner of Queensland, from the Gold Coast to Goondiwindi, Cook to Cloncurry, and Palm Island to Pormpuraaw.
One of the projects is in Brisbane’s Woolloongabba, where a contract has been secured for 81 new homes – 41 social and 40 affordable – which will provide safe and secure housing for Queenslanders, including essential workers and vulnerable Queenslanders.
Delivered in partnership with Brisbane Housing Corporation and Queensland Investment Corporation, the development is a leading example of the State Government’s approach to:
- Unlock land in high-demand areas
- Partner with the community housing sector
- Deliver homes for those who need them most
- Build to high sustainability and accessibility standards
Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor, said that the government was delivering on its commitment to unlock more homes for all Queenslanders.
“We’re getting on with the job of building more social and affordable homes right across the state to ease the housing crisis,” O’Connor said.
“These social and affordable homes are just one part of the government’s ambitious goal to deliver one million homes by 2044, including 53,500 new social homes.
“From November to the end of February, the Queensland Government has accelerated the delivery of 5,000 social and affordable homes either in contract or under construction across Queensland.
“This is just the start of our housing delivery. We’re rebuilding our housing system from the ground up and backing our builders to get more homes for Queenslanders faster.
“Projects like this one in Woolloongabba, show how we’re unlocking new supply in high-demand areas to meet the urgent housing needs of Queenslanders.”
Brisbane Housing Corporation (BHC) CEO, Rebecca Oelkers, said that BHC was immensely proud to deliver the vital housing project in Woolloongabba in partnership with the Queensland Government.
“The community is calling for tangible solutions to the housing crisis, and this site will provide much-needed homes for essential workers in the PA Hospital and nearby retail precincts, as well as those on the state’s social housing register, Oelkers said.
“Our collaboration with the State Government is a testament to our shared commitment to providing affordable housing solutions. We are ready to build and eagerly anticipate the commencement of many more developments together.”
Brisbane City Council’s Chair of Planning and Suburban Renewal, Adam Allan, said that council was committed to working with the State Government to help boost housing affordability.
“While there are limited levers available to local governments, we continue to work closely with the State Government and organisations like Brisbane Housing Company to help make housing more affordable,” Cr Allan said.
“Our infrastructure charge waivers for community housing providers like Brisbane Housing Company are making it even easier for them to deliver vital social housing in our city.
“Brisbane is Australia’s fastest-growing city, and this is adding to housing supply pressures, which is why we’re doing what we can to help bring down the cost of building.”
