Six a day for 22 years: Qld’s ambitious target for social housing

The Queensland government aims to deliver 53,500 social homes by 2046 as it ramps up its response to the state’s housing crisis.

• Editor’s view: Target not easy

The state government will attempt to build six new dwellings every day for 22 years as part of an ambitious $1.25bn plan to deliver 53,500 social homes by 2046.

Premier Steven Miles will on Monday reveal the state will ­allocate an extra $1.25bn to the $6bn investment in social and affordable housing the government has already committed to.

It is aimed at ramping up ­social housing delivery in Queensland to more than 2000 homes on average per year by 2028.

It is expected to be a significant challenge, however, with just 5000 social housing homes delivered since Labor came to power in 2015.

The state government will also rely on the Commonwealth and community housing sector to grow social housing supply and “work towards this target”.

Mr Miles acknowledged his government needed “to build more homes”.

“Our government already had the biggest investment in housing in the state’s history – today, we take that even further,” he said.

“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.”

The government said building would significantly ramp up over coming years, with ­“delivery to vary year on year in line with market ­conditions”.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the focus would be on “innovative processes like modular homes”.

She said the social housing target would also be reviewed over time in line with changes in population and housing need.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella noted, prior to the government's announcement, the state had failed to boost social housing.

“The Productivity Commission highlighted last year that Queensland has the lowest level of spend on social housing in the country,” she said.

“This is happening while the social housing register waitlist has exploded to above 40,000.”

Ms Mercorella said some reforms, such as banning rent bidding, lacked substance.

“We already have strict legislation surrounding rent bidding in Queensland, which requires a listing price be advertised and prevents real estate professionals from asking for offers above and beyond that,” she said.

“If you fix supply, history shows that affordability stays in check because people aren’t compelled to offer more to ­increase their chances of success among a big pool of ­applicants.”