The Queensland government has announced its target of having 53,500 social homes by 2046.
The new housing target has been backed by $1.25 billion funding to top up the $6 billion investment already committed to social and affordable housing.
The additional funding will ramp up public and community housing delivery in the state to more than 2000 homes per year on average until 2028.
The plan will also contribute to the Big Build, a plan set out by the Queensland government in the 2023-24 budget, which involves an $89 billion investment into a four year capital program. The investment spreads across renewables, storage, network infrastructure, water projects, education, social housing, and the infrastructure needed for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.
The state government also said it is currently securing additional funding from the federal government to deliver on its housing targeting through the Social Housing Accelerator and Housing Australia Future Fund.
The government will also focus on innovative processes like modular homes to meet demand.
The target was set in collaboration with the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, which used predictions from modelling, a first in Australia, to incorporate historical and predictive analysis, including population growth and social and economic factors, to inform social housing needs.
Premier Steven Miles said, “Our government already had the biggest investment in housing in the state’s history.
“I made it clear that in order to address our state’s housing need any plan needs to address five key housing pillars – one of those being a boost to social housing.
“This will be the most ambitious social housing program in recent history.”
Queensland Council of Social Service chief executive Aimee McVeigh said: “Queensland’s community sector has been witnessing distressing levels of social housing need right across the state.
“The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute modelling demonstrates that the need is substantial and that the delivery and investment in social housing needs to be turbocharged in Queensland.
“Building new social housing isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s an investment in the well-being and dignity of our fellow Queenslanders, including thousands of families.”