Published Tuesday, 15 July, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
SOCIAL HOUSING STOCKS RECEIVE MASSIVE BOOST
The Department of Housing’s portfolio of owned and funded social housing dwellings was boosted by 974 units of accommodation during 2007-08, Housing Minister Robert Schwarten announced today.
Mr Schwarten, who addressed a Parliamentary Estimates hearing today, said the boost was a result of record spending by the Labor Government.
“The 2007-08 State Budget included a $719 million housing assistance package, which included a $479 million capital program,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Twelve months on we can see that the department has achieved great results for Queensland taxpayers and battlers with a genuine need for subsidised housing.
”On July 1, 2007 there were 64,482 dwellings owned and funded by the Department of Housing. By June 30, 2008 that figure had increased to 65,456.
He said the Department had also been working to target its supply of social housing dwellings at those in the greatest need.
“Some 4,200 households were identified as being ineligible for social housing under the department’s ongoing eligibility policy, of which close to 20% have terminated their tenancy either by moving out or purchasing their dwelling,” Mr Schwarten said.
“That’s 840 households which have been re-tenanted to those in need.
“Of the remainder, 3,277 proved they remained eligible to remain in their social housing, 90 have an extension to their eviction date and 41 are pursuing the possible purchase of their property. Thirty-six cases are currently proceeding through the Small Claims Tribunal.”
Mr Schwarten said that in the new financial year the Department of Housing would spend, on average, $4.15 million per day providing and supporting housing services to Queenslanders, up from $3.38 million in 07-08.
“I will also continue working with the Federal Government to bring its promised National Rental Affordability Scheme to fruition,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This scheme has the potential to be a real shot in the arm for affordable accommodation in the private rental market locally with as many as 10,000 of the 50,000 dwellings to be created destined for Queensland.
“I am also looking forward to a new National Affordable Housing Agreement being developed to replace the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement.
“I am very pleased that the Federal Government is suggesting a new Agreement that is more comprehensive than the current one.
“It is an agreement that helps us to coordinate broad-based approaches to housing affordability, to homelessness and the underlying social problems that cause it and to the economic drivers of the changing housing market.
“I first called for a national housing policy in Australia in 2002 but my calls went largely unheard. Now in Canberra we have Federal colleagues who are willing to work in partnership with us.”
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Mr Schwarten, who addressed a Parliamentary Estimates hearing today, said the boost was a result of record spending by the Labor Government.
“The 2007-08 State Budget included a $719 million housing assistance package, which included a $479 million capital program,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Twelve months on we can see that the department has achieved great results for Queensland taxpayers and battlers with a genuine need for subsidised housing.
”On July 1, 2007 there were 64,482 dwellings owned and funded by the Department of Housing. By June 30, 2008 that figure had increased to 65,456.
He said the Department had also been working to target its supply of social housing dwellings at those in the greatest need.
“Some 4,200 households were identified as being ineligible for social housing under the department’s ongoing eligibility policy, of which close to 20% have terminated their tenancy either by moving out or purchasing their dwelling,” Mr Schwarten said.
“That’s 840 households which have been re-tenanted to those in need.
“Of the remainder, 3,277 proved they remained eligible to remain in their social housing, 90 have an extension to their eviction date and 41 are pursuing the possible purchase of their property. Thirty-six cases are currently proceeding through the Small Claims Tribunal.”
Mr Schwarten said that in the new financial year the Department of Housing would spend, on average, $4.15 million per day providing and supporting housing services to Queenslanders, up from $3.38 million in 07-08.
“I will also continue working with the Federal Government to bring its promised National Rental Affordability Scheme to fruition,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This scheme has the potential to be a real shot in the arm for affordable accommodation in the private rental market locally with as many as 10,000 of the 50,000 dwellings to be created destined for Queensland.
“I am also looking forward to a new National Affordable Housing Agreement being developed to replace the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement.
“I am very pleased that the Federal Government is suggesting a new Agreement that is more comprehensive than the current one.
“It is an agreement that helps us to coordinate broad-based approaches to housing affordability, to homelessness and the underlying social problems that cause it and to the economic drivers of the changing housing market.
“I first called for a national housing policy in Australia in 2002 but my calls went largely unheard. Now in Canberra we have Federal colleagues who are willing to work in partnership with us.”
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832