More support for affordable housing in Queensland
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Brendan O’Connor today launched a federally-funded online tool to help south east Queenslanders make a more informed decision about housing.
Mr O’Connor unveiled the My Home, My Suburb Affordability Calculator, funded through the Gillard Government’s Housing Affordability Fund, during a visit in Brisbane to meet with the Council of Mayors.
“This online calculator will help home buyers work out the real costs of their housing choices and enable them to make more informed decisions about where they want to live,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The online tool factors in the costs of housing and the costs of travel to and from work, schools, shops, services and other facilities.
“By having the right information, home buyers in south east Queensland will be in a better position to find a home that’s right for them.
“We know that Australia is currently facing a critical housing shortage and that’s particularly true here in south east Queensland.”
The Government’s $1.78 million investment in the Liveable Compact Cities Project, an Australian Government partnership with 10 councils across south east Queensland to improve information on housing and affordability for buyers, will help ease the housing shortage being felt in the area by encouraging medium density residential developments.
“Addressing housing affordability is a challenge that requires the combined effort of all governments, as well as the wider private and community sector,” Mr O’Connor said.
“That’s why the Government has put in place $20 billion worth of measures to help people with home ownership, affordable housing, and to tackle homelessness.
“Through the more than $400 million Housing Affordability Fund we are supporting 72 projects right across Australia – 11 in Queensland.
“Grants from this fund – to local councils, state government agencies and the private sector make housing more affordable by reducing infrastructure and planning related development costs.
“The Housing Affordability Fund is about helping families and individuals afford to buy a home. It complements a number of the Government’s other initiatives to improve the community’s access to affordable housing, including the $4.5 billion National Rental Affordability Scheme and the more than $100 million Building Better Regional Cities program,” Mr O’Connor said.