Homeless crisis looms

Shortage of social housing

TOWNSVILLE’S housing shortage is beyond breaking point, with thousands of people desperate for somewhere to live.

With social housing stretched to the limit and the rental vacancy rate at record lows, it is a struggle for many to call Townsville home.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, North Queensland became a haven for hundreds of people escaping lockdowns in NSW and Victoria, putting pressure on the rental market.

Last week, the Queensland Council of Social Services revealed there were 2154 families on the social housing register, a 171 per cent increase from just 793 families in 2017.

In the private market, some owners of rental properties are opting to sell due to the price, leaving families high and dry and unable to find accommodation.

But there seems to be nothing that can be done for people in the short term.

The state government has plans to invest millions into social housing across Queensland, with 229 new builds planned for North Queensland over the next four years.

It was part of a $2.9bn Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-25.

In quarter four of 2020, Townsville City Council gave the tick of approval to more than 340 new homes at the height of the Homebuilder Scheme.

This is in comparison with just 87 approvals for new homes in the first quarter of 2020.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper (pictured) said there were lots of opportunities in Townsville making the rental market tighter.

“All levels of government have a role to play in encouraging all types of housing to be built,” Mr Harper said.

“The city is in the middle of a construction boom and it’s important there is more housing and rental availability in Townsville.

“As a government we’re investing in social housing in Townsville and throughout Queensland.”

Mr Harper said the government’s social housing plan included the biggest investment in social housing in Queensland’s history.

He said there were 140 new social housing homes in Townsville that had already commenced construction.

Under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, between 2018 and 2023 Queensland is expected to receive more than $1.6bn from the federal government.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said the federal government continued to make investments in social housing.

“It is sad that so many Townsville locals are at risk of becoming homeless,” Mr Thompson said.

“We need our state Labor representatives to stand up and demand more be spent here in Townsville.”