Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni has announced $2 million for three new products as part of the Queensland Government’s Housing Strategy to support more Queenslanders who are locked out of affordable housing options, as a result of outdated federal tax settings and record low wages growth under Scott Morrison’s LNP federal government.
Mr de Brenni said the new Helping Hand Headleases initiative, will see rental properties leased for a targeted group of Queenslanders who need support to building their rental history.
“Under these changes, we will support victims of Domestic and Family Violence, those experiencing racial discrimination, and those with living with a mental heath condition to build a rental history on the pathway to independence.
“The new initiative will also back up social housing supply for those Queenslanders who need immediate accommodation support, right across Queensland. Sometimes a little boost is all that is needed to give Queenslanders a helping hand.
“A second Rental Security Subsidy initiative will now offer short-term assistance to reduce rental payments for those Queenslanders doing it tough, and those experiencing temporary hardship.
“Many factors can contribute to homelessness or difficulty securing low income accommodation – ranging from debt incurred from an accident, to a sudden dip in income due to the death of a partner.
“This immediate housing security subsidy could range from $50 for one week or a couple of hundred dollars for a few weeks while we enact necessary longer-term support.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to helping Queenslanders avoid eviction and homelessness.
“Since the last financial year 4,464 young applicants have been supported with private market assistance. That’s 16 young Queenslanders supported into independent housing each and every day – 16 young Queenslanders a day that have not had to experience homelessness.
“But we understand that more is needed. So, a third initiative, the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Headlease for Young Queenslanders initiative is a direct response to assist young Queenslanders struggling to enter the private rental market.
“Because of the acuity of the challenge on the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, this initiative will be rolled out there first.
“This initiative will see at least a further 58 young people supported into secure housing at any one time, keeping them focussed on education and securing a job, not have to worry about where they’ll sleep that night.
“This commitment builds on the 243 new homes being constructed on the Sunshine Coast and 392 on the Gold Coast under the Queensland Housing Strategy.
“The Palaszczuk Government recognises that young people in particular sometimes have nowhere else to turn.
“Tenants wanting to access the private housing market will now have more help to find and keep a tenancy and people who are eligible for social housing but are finding it difficult to afford a home in the private rental market will also be assisted,” Mr de Brenni said.
