Red tape removal on social housing combats ‘unprecedented acceleration of homelessness’

A southeast Queensland council is surging ahead with plans to tackle its soaring housing crisis.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has slashed fees for community housing developments to help address the region’s housing crisis.

To combat the massive housing crisis and Moreton Bay’s ‘unprecedented acceleration of homelessness’, Moreton Bay Regional Council has waived more than $200,000 in charges so a new social housing block can be built.

The council has waived $220,000 in infrastructure charges and development application fees for Bric Housing, supporting their plans to build a new 18-dwelling accommodation block in Redcliffe for people experiencing homelessness.

It follows Mayor Peter Flannery’s announcement in August that the council would cut red tape for community housing providers to deliver social and affordable housing by not requiring them to pay any development fees or charges.

“We all know Australia is facing a housing crisis and Moreton Bay is not immune,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Statistically speaking Moreton Bay faces an unprecedented acceleration in homelessness compared to our neighbours.

“Between the 2011 and 2016 census homelessness increased 57 per cent here.

“That’s faster than Brisbane on 39 per cent, much faster than the Sunshine Coast on six per cent and far too high above the Queensland average of nine average.

“The lack of social and affordable housing in our region is putting more and more people at risk of homelessness, already more than 1200 locals are already considered homeless.”

Statistically speaking Moreton Bay faces an unprecedented acceleration in homelessness compared to the rest of Queensland. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Mayor Flannery warned that without a coherent plan at the state and federal level, Australia’s housing crisis would only worsen.

“There used to be a nationwide routine annual public housing construction program about 25 years ago,” Mayor Flannery said.

“But since 1996 we’ve seen the country’s population boom 40 per cent while social housing stock has only increased four per cent in that time, so the problem is clear.

“Our system has not kept pace with the pressure that’s being put on it, and that pressure’s increasing.

“That’s why in this year’s budget council committed $1.5 million to building a homelessness support hub in Redcliffe with funding from the State Government.

“I was also very pleased to see that Brisbane Housing Company, with the State Government’s Housing Investment Fund‘s support, is investing in social and affordable housing in Redcliffe.

“The 84 single bedroom apartments planned as part of the Redcliffe Social Housing Project in Sutton Street will improve the lives of older people in the area.

“While these initiatives are steps in the right direction, more is needed across our region.”

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery is eager to work with housing providers and see more social housing built in the region. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Bric Housing has been a pioneer in the community housing sector for the past decade in the southeast region of Queensland.

CEO Jane West said the organisation’s mission was to provide affordable homes to Queenslanders in housing need.

“This new accommodation in Redcliffe will be designed to provide good quality accommodation, and tenancy sustainment support, for 18 single people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with the support of State Government funding,” Ms West said.

“It’s unusual and incredibly welcome for a Council to be so active in this space, given homelessness and housing are portfolios of the State and Federal Governments.

“I’d definitely encourage other Community Housing Providers to take up this opportunity with Moreton Bay Council, because we know areas like Redcliffe and Caboolture have had above-average rates of homelessness and this has significantly increased in recent years.”

The 18 dwelling accommodation block will be built on Portwood Street.