Homes for Queenslanders: Government working to open doors towards homeownership for First Nations Queenslanders

• Miles Government taking first steps towards new home ownership scheme for First Nations peoples
• Palm Island Home Ownership Scheme could see up to 300 social homes available for residents to own
• Forms part of the government’s commitment under the Our Place Action Plan and Roadmap.

The Miles Government is working to boost home ownership in First Nations communities by championing a community-led homeownership scheme on Palm Island.

The proposed Palm Island Home Ownership Scheme has been developed by the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, with the goal of supporting homeownership in the community.

As part of the proposed scheme, 300 social homes owned by the council could be made available for residents to buy over the next ten years through a 99-year home ownership lease.

The government will work in partnership with the community and council on the scheme, identifying legislative barriers and considering options to address them, and ensuring that the scheme would be sustainable for homeowners and council.

If approved and implemented successfully for an initial cohort of homeowners, the scheme could be rolled out in a staged process to support the ambition of making more homes available for residents to purchase.

The scheme bolsters the vision for a fairer housing system for First Nations peoples in Queensland, outlined in the Governments Our Place: A First Nations Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2024-2037 and Roadmap to 2031.

Our Place is backed by a $61.3 million investment over four years, including $10 million committed under Homes for Queenslanders to increase First Nations homeownership rates.

Quotes attributable to Member for Townsville and Ministerial Champion for Palm Island Scott Stewart:

“I have spoken extensively with Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council about this plan for a number of years and advocated extensively, so I’m extremely excited to see it happening.

“This is an important first step which will give people on Palm Island a chance to have their own home.

“We will continue to work directly with the council and the broader community on making this happen.

“Home ownership gives people pride of place in where they live which is why this work is so important.”

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Every Queensland family deserves the chance to own their own home.

“My government is working with Indigenous councils and First Nations people to invest in more homes and jobs in remote communities and support more options for home ownership.

“Breaking down housing the barriers for First Nations Queenslanders to purchase their own homes is critically important to our combined effort to Close the Gap.”

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“In Queensland, the home ownership rate is about 67 per cent, but for First Nations households, the figure is much lower at 42 per cent.

“We are determined to Close the Gap.

“To do that, we’re focussed on increasing home ownership for First Nations communities and working with partners, such as the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, to support community-led initiatives such as the Palm Island Home Ownership Scheme.”

Further information:

For more information about Our Place, visit https://www.housing.qld.gov.au/initiatives/first-nations-housing-and-homelessness.

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact Palm Island Housing business hours on 07 4770 1301 or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

ENDS

Media contact: Robyn Wuth – 0461 555 208