Vinnies welcome $10b national housing boost

Vinnies Queensland has welcomed the passing of a $10b housing package in Parliament today, with the Housing Australia Future Fund set to build 30,000 new social and affordable homes across Australia in five years.

This Fund marks the biggest national investment in affordable and social housing in over a decade.

CEO Kevin Mercer said the passing of the Housing Australia Future Fund would make a significant difference for thousands of Queenslanders struggling to find a safe and affordable place to live.

“Our Society has seen first-hand the impact of our ongoing housing crisis on vulnerable Queenslanders – with more and more families resorting to living in their cars or tents, it’s clear we need immediate action on a massive scale,” he said.

“The $10b Housing Australia Future Fund, the biggest national investment in social and affordable housing for over a decade, is a much-needed step forward to reduce homelessness in Queensland and the rest of Australia.”

Mr Mercer welcomed the Fund’s aim to build 30,000 social and affordable housing properties across Australia in the first five years, including 4,000 for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence, but said the investment was just one step in the journey towards providing a home for all.

“We have more than 41,000 Queenslanders on the social housing waiting list, half of which are classified as high risk,  and our partners at the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) estimate we will need 11,000 new social and affordable homes a year to keep up with current and future demand,” he said.

“So while the Future Fund will change the lives of thousands of vulnerable Queenslanders for the better, we still have a way to go to truly solve homelessness in our state.”

In the last financial year, Vinnies Queensland provided more than 103,000 nights of accommodation to people in need.