Editorial: Cash alone won’t solve housing crisis

The number of new homes needed each year to keep pace with Queensland’s growth is stark – as is the challenge of finding someone to build them, writes the editor.

The Queensland Council of Social Service says 2700 extra social homes and more than 6000 social and affordable new homes are needed each year, on top of what has already been promised.

A mid-year cash boost of nearly $400m from the federal government to build social homes over the next two years is a welcome surprise amid the intensifying housing crisis.

It comes after the state government announced $322m for 500 social homes, and back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest the feds’ cash must be good for about another 620 dwellings.

But constrained construction capacity and skills shortages will restrict what is possible in a short time frame, in another stark reminder of the numerous movable parts that add to Queensland’s critical housing shortage.

And it’s also why ambitious and creative policymaking is more critical than ever, with governments needing to pull all the levers available to boost the supply of affordable and social housing, and not just throw cash at the issue.

Of course, this housing crisis will take significant private sector buy-in – which the government can influence through regulatory changes or removing red tape.

There perhaps also needs to be a shift in the community in how housing is developed around our suburbs.

Queensland’s population has grown significantly, and this isn’t about to slow down anytime soon, though who can blame anyone from interstate or overseas from choosing to lay down roots in the best state in Australia.

But this means the population in our cities will have to increase, both horizontally through urban sprawl and vertically through high-rise apartment buildings – though there should always be green space and public-use amenity factored in.

Public housing is not just about traditional homes in sprawling suburbs on city fringes. Apartments, including mixed private and public projects, are an increasingly important part of the mix.

But for some people, this means a change in mindset. Younger people are increasingly preferring units to traditional homes and public housing will reflect this. Population density in our cities will inevitably rise.

Ultimately, it’s not possible to barrack for authorities to work harder to put a roof over everyone’s heads on one hand and be angry at apartment blocks being built in suburbs.

One outcome of last year’s Housing Summit, triggered by The Courier-Mail’s Hitting Home campaign, was the decision to review the South East Queensland Regional Plan to update “benchmarks and expectation for dwelling growth and, critically, housing choice and diversity”.

Translation: We’ll need to look at housing density.

The updated plan is expected to be locked in by the end of the year, after consultation on draft plans.

QShelter, in welcoming the nearly $400m boost to social housing by the federal government, stated the cash on top of the state’s ongoing land audit would help “ignite partnerships and innovation” with community housing providers to increase stock.

This will make a difference, though not far from mind is the repeated warnings from QCOSS that at least “2700 extra social homes” and more than “6000 social and affordable new homes” are required across Queensland each year – each year! – on top of what was already promised.

It’s a stark figure – as is the challenge of finding someone to build them.

ONE SMALL WIN IN YOUTH JUSTICE FIGHT

Reporting our state’s youth crime crisis, The Courier-Mail has brought its readers a string of alarming stories about young criminals that are out of control and a youth justice system seemingly unable to deal with them.

But today, we bring a glimmer of hope.

Six months ago we reported on the mother of a 13-year-old repeat offender who had pleaded with the courts to lock her son up for a significant period of time, admitting she could not control him and fearing what could happen if his shocking behaviour continued to escalate.

It took 13 arrests and 69 charges before her son, now 14, was finally sent away. He spent four weeks in a juvenile detention centre over Christmas and his mother – who cannot be named for legal reasons – says it has turned him around.

She believes the longer sentence gave her son the ability to work with youth justice experts and also obtain a part-time job.

“I felt it from that day, when I picked him up from juvie, that I had my son back … I don’t even check him at night any more,” she said.

It’s one small step, but it is in the right direction. And it’s a reminder that detention is as much about rehabilitation at punishment.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here