QLD Budget Commits $250M to Public Housing

The Queensland State Government has committed almost $250 million to provide more accessible public housing for vulnerable people, as part of its 2014-2015 Budget.

Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander said the 2014-15 State Budget allocated almost $250 million to provide better and more accessible public housing.

He said the previous Labor government had left more than 30,000 households on the public housing waiting list.

“While we’ve been able to reduce that figure by more than a third so far, there is still plenty to do and we’re tackling these challenges head on by partnering with the non-government sector to deliver an additional 1800 new dwellings,” Mander said.

“The Government has a strong plan for a brighter future which is why, as well as investing in bricks and mortar solutions, we expect to be able to help 38,000 low income households to either find or retain a place in the private rental market through housing products like RentConnect and Bond Loans.”

Mander said the Government would also increase accommodation options for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness by expanding the Street to Home program and by establishing a Housing Assistance Triage System to rapidly provide people with support.

“Homelessness has no place in our society and these initiatives will play an important part in meeting our commitment to halve the current rate of homelessness by 2020,” he said.

“The budget also delivers 70 new homes for completion in remote indigenous communities. These homes will play a big role in addressing overcrowding and ensuring indigenous Queenslanders have a safe place to call home.”

Mander said the Queensland Government would continue with the ongoing overhaul of the procurement system to make it easier for business to work with government.

“Wave 1 of our procurement transformation program has already enabled savings of up to $130 million. Waves 2 and 3 are likely to enable additional savings of up to $440 million,” he said.

According to the Queensland Government, the 2014-15 State Budget outlines its “strong plan for a brighter future”.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the Government was carefully balancing increases in education, health and community services spending, while not introducing or raising any new taxes or reducing services.

“Strong choices have to be made so that Queensland can have a brighter future,” Nicholls said.

“If we want to invest in the schools, hospitals and vital infrastructure we will need for the future in our growing State, we must address the accumulated $80 billion debt.

“The budget delivers a plan to pay down some of that debt and fund infrastructure across Queensland.

“The Draft Plan I have released as part of the budget provides for debt reduction by $25 billion to $55 billion through a series of asset transactions.

“Not everyone will agree with the plan we have outlined but at least Queenslanders will know we have funding certainty into the future so we can invest in what we need for a growing and ageing population.”

For more information on the Queensland Government’s 2014-2015 Budget, click HERE.