Qld’s most popular housing & homelessness questions answered
Queensland’s housing crisis – and the increase in tent cities it brings with it – is reaching breaking point. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Queensland’s housing crisis – and the increase in tent cities it brings with it – is reaching breaking point.
With cost of living an increasing strain, more and more families are being forced on to the streets, with a lack of affordable housing solutions as a safety net.
In April 2024 the locations of the tent cities were mapped in stunning images.
In June the state’s peak real estate body said Queensland was falling deeper into a housing crisis almost two years after the state government convened a landmark summit to address the critical issue.
This is everything you need to know and how you can get help >>>
Why do homeless people reject emergency housing?
Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) chief executive Aimee McVeigh in August 2024 said the housing crisis was not being properly addressed.
“I think there is no way that any side of politics can fool Queenslanders into thinking that the housing crisis is under control, because Queenslanders can see with their own eyes, that the housing crisis is continuing and unabating and indeed getting worse,” he said.
Who is eligible for free emergency housing?
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon in August 2024 said help was available to anyone experiencing homelessness.
“We have invested record funding to tackle homelessness through the Homes for Queenslanders plan, including a 20 per cent increase for hardworking homelessness organisations,” she said.
Full details and questions can be found here.
More information can be found here.
Does my local council have to house me if I am homeless?
The Queensland Government offers support for those in need of housing.
“Homeless Hotline is a phone information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The Homeless Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
What is the average cost of living in Qld?
In January 2024 exclusive polling revealed two-thirds of Queenslanders are having trouble paying their rent or mortgage, and a third expect their financial situation to worsen over the next year.
Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, Queenslanders are sacrificing holidays, with half of the state’s respondents either struggling to afford a getaway or putting a break on the backburner.
The DemosAU cost-of-living polling surveyed 2167 Australians between December 8, 2023 and January 7, 2024. This included 714 Queensland residents.
According to IDP Education, the average cost for a single person to live comfortably in Brisbane is from $400 to $750 per week depending on your living circumstances.
There is also a calculator to get a rough idea of your estimated living expenses.
Further reading here
Is it cheaper to live in Qld or NSW?
According to Compare the Market, Queensland is the clear winner when it comes to a battle between budgets.
Data showed Sunshine State residents could be $141.48 better off each week compared to their neighbours south of the Tweed border. That’s a difference of around $7,356.96 per year.
The data also revealed it’s more affordable in Brisbane than in Sydney to commute to and from work every weekday.
Queenslanders travelling around 16km to and from work on the public transport network in peak times pay $3.70 less a week ($16.03 a month) than those in Sydney.
A Griffith University study also found Brisbane is one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Source: Compare the Market
What is the cost of living concession in Queensland?
The Queensland Government website states:
Queenslanders will pay less for electricity in 2023–24 through the Cost of Living Rebate, with eligible households receiving one of the following:
$700 Cost of Living Rebate on electricity bills for eligible vulnerable households, plus a further $372 for those receiving the Queensland Electricity Rebate, bringing total rebates for Queenslanders doing it toughest to $1,072
$550 Cost of Living Rebate on electricity bills for all other Queensland households.
For most households, the rebate will be credited to electricity bills on a quarterly basis commencing from 1 July 2023. Exact timing will depend on retailers’ system requirements and individual billing cycles.
There are cost of living calculators also available for people, including students.
Further info here
How long is the wait for housing in Qld?
In January 2024 the true extent of Queensland’s social housing crisis stretched to “more like 100,000 households” with many families not bothering with “years-long” waiting lists, the state’s peak body warned.
The Queensland Council of Social Service demanded the state government “urgently” release its short, medium and long-term plan to address the state’s housing crisis which it said would worsen.
QCOSS chief executive Aimee McVeigh said shock data reveals the number of people on the state’s social housing register had climbed by almost 1600 to 43,074 by the end of September.
Further info here
How do I to get emergency housing in Qld?
Queenslanders can check their eligibility for housing assistance on the Queensland Government website.
Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to discuss your eligibility and housing needs or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
You can apply for emergency housing here.
The Help to Home program is also available.
Through Help to Home, properties were sourced from the private market and sub-leased to registered community housing providers (RCHPs) who deliver specialist tenancy and property management services.
Further info here
Why is there a housing crisis in Qld?
Children and teenagers living outside city centres were grappling with homelessness in record numbers, as median rents in regional Queensland soared by up to 25 per cent in one year and 80 per cent over five years.
In August 2023 some areas in Queensland recorded rental growth of up to 80 per cent between 2017 and 2022, while the homelessness rate in regional parts of the state rose almost 30 per cent in four years.
In January 2024 it was revealed that Queensland has built fewer new homes in the past year than at almost any time in the past decade, with the state falling well short of its housing target.
Further reading here
Where are the public housing locations in Qld?
The Queensland government built more than 2400 social homes across the state since the beginning of 2020, data revealed in October 2023.
The Courier-Mail has obtained documents that provide an unprecedented insight into the construction of social homes amid sustained criticism of the state’s inability to keep up with extraordinary demand.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon had repeatedly said the government planned to commence construction on another 10,000 social and affordable homes by 2027.
A full list of social housing locations was listed here
What is the quality of public housing?
Under the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017–2027, the Queensland Government outlined its aim to deliver more social and affordable housing.
The strategy states:
■ support urban renewal
■ generate new jobs
■ provide affordable housing
■ drive innovative housing design that meets contemporary housing needs.
The design guidance resources provided below ensure that new social housing dwellings:
■ are designed thoughtfully
■ meet service delivery requirements
■ minimise ongoing maintenance
■ contribute to diverse and sustainable communities.
More information here
What rights do homeless people have Australia?
According to the Australian Human Rights Commission: Human rights are about everyone, and they are very important for people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless.
We all have the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing. This is not a right enjoyed by people who are homeless.
People who are homeless are also likely to experience a number of other human rights breaches, including the right to:
■ the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
■ be safe and free from violence
■ respect for privacy, family and home
■ education
■ work, and fair working conditions
■ be free from discrimination
■ vote
■ freedom of movement and freedom of association.
Further information can be found here.
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