A new ‘Immediate Response’ funding package to help families struggling to secure housing has been announced by the Minister for Communities and Housing and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
According to Ms Palaszczuk, ‘Immediate Response’ is to be backed by a $16 million fund.
“My Government is providing a $16 million immediate response package to help put a roof over the heads of families doing it tough living in insecure and unsafe situations and help people maintain tenancies,” the Premier said.
“This package includes increased funding for the Rental Security Subsidy of $7 million,” she said.
“This $7 million will be used to assist around 700 families to sustain tenancies by increasing the available subsidy from $5,000 over six months to up to $10,000 for 12 months.”
Minister for Communities and Housing, Leeanne Enoch said the degree of support available to the families was needed now more than ever.
“We are seeing increasing demand for support from Queensland families right now due to the impacts of COVID-19, the rising cost of living and unprecedented challenges on housing affordability and the private rental market,” Ms Enoch said.
“Many people and families who did not need housing assistance before COVID-19, are reaching out to the Queensland Government for emergency accommodation, housing and support,” she said.
“This is about prioritising the needs of families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including First Nations people, people experiencing domestic and family violence, young people and older people.”
Ms Enoch said the project would increase the social and affordable housing supply by almost 10,000 over the life of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027, including 7,400 new dwellings, of which 6,365 new social homes will be commenced by 30 June 2025 under the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021–2025.
“Queenslanders know it can take time to plan and build new homes,” she said.
“For this reason, we are actively investigating all types of alternative housing supply options, including factory-built homes, to support our traditional construction program and to make homes available sooner.”
She said that under Help to Home, the property owner will receive a guaranteed rental income for two years, paid three months in advance, and then every quarter.
“Help to Home will help people on our housing register to secure safe and affordable housing over two years and will target areas of high demand,” Ms Enoch said.
She said anyone needing housing assistance can contact their local Housing Service Centre to discuss housing and support options to meet their needs.”
Information about the Housing Service Centres across Queensland can be accessed for more information at this PS News link.
