$1.9 billion for Queensland Housing

Queensland will receive more than $1.9 billion in additional Commonwealth funding for housing over the next five years.

Speaking at the Queensland Shelter Conference in Brisbane today, , Tanya Plibersek said this additional investment in housing will help low income earners, the homeless, disability and aged pensioners and Indigenous people that are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

“This is an unprecedented level of investment in housing in Queensland,” Ms Plibersek said.

“This new funding will build new public and community housing as well as Indigenous housing in remote communities.

It will also deliver additional services and specialist accommodation for homeless people.

Under the $42 Billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan, Queensland will receive:

• $1.199 billion for the construction of new social housing; and
• $80 million for urgent repairs and maintenance of existing social housing.

In addition, the National Partnership Agreements will deliver:

• $80 million for new social housing dwellings;
• $419 million for remote Indigenous housing; and
• $99 million for initiatives to deliver strategies outlined in the Homelessness White Paper.

This adds to the $36 million announced last year for A Place to Call Home.

“The Rudd Government has responded to the global financial crisis by stimulating the economy and supporting jobs – not just in Queensland but right across the country – as part of the $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan,” Ms Plibersek said.

“A key element of the plan is the injection of an additional $6.4 billion for social housing over four years to be spent on social housing construction, repairs and maintenance.

This will help keep tradies in work, keep contractors busy and keep apprentices employed.

“I am greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of the people within the housing sector that are willing to work together, with government, to address the national housing and homelessness challenge.”