Housing shortage: Hidden cost of Queenslanders’ flood reality

The true cost for victims of the state’s devastating floods grows, with thousands of people still without life’s most basic essentials.

Widespread flood damage has seen thousands of Queenslanders forced into homelessness amid an already major housing shortage.

The wild floods wreaked havoc on thousands of homes across Queensland over the past two weeks, leaving rentals “unliveable” and residents stranded.

Queensland Council of Social Services Aimee McVeign told reporters in some towns, the only option for residents is to pitch a tent.

“There are families living in tents in flood-affected areas,” she said.

“In our state we already have more than 50,000 people on the social housing register – that’s before we add all the people who have been impacted by the floods.”

Flood affected areas in Queensland are facing a housing crisis as thousands of homes have been left uninhabitable following the floods. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

Flood victim Jac Cokeron is one of thousands who are homeless after destructive floods deemed her rental uninhabitable.

The woman has been left to sleep on a friend’s couch after her lease was void.

“If I had’ve been told two months ago I’d be homeless, I would have been very surprised.” she said.

ZhenTao Cong with his kids at their flooded home in St Lucia, Brisbane. Picture: Annette Dew

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said more than 1000 Queenslanders have received emergency accommodation from the state in hotels, motels and the private sector in a press conference on Wednesday.

Currently 461 households have received emergency housing with thousands more still in need.

“We know there was unprecedented demand on Queensland’s housing market prior to this most recent flooding event.” she said.

Homeowner Damien Savage can no longer rent out his West Brisbane home after floods ripped through the state two weeks ago. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Record interstate migration, rising house prices, very low vacancy rates, Covid-19 and severe weather has created a perfect storm.

“Every Queenslander deserves a roof over their head,”

Information on temporary housing can be found here.

Originally published as Housing shortage: Hidden cost of Queenslanders’ flood reality