News
30 June, 2022
No answers from State government on land for homeless
WITH community calls for action on homelessness in the northern Moreton Bay region continuing to build, the State Government has sidestepped questions about releasing State land to create temporary accommodation facilities.
The idea was first raised by Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery, who said it was a possibility, however it would require State Government approval before anything else could happen.
Responding to questions to Housing Minister Leanne Enoch about the community-backed suggestion, a spokesperson for the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy said the Queensland Government ‘recognises the pressure faced by many households seeking to find and secure an affordable home’.
“These pressures have been exacerbated by recent flooding events which have impacted on the availability of private rental housing and other short term accommodation options,” the spokesperson said.
“The Queensland Government acted quickly to support people into immediate and short-term housing and to provide wrap-around supports following the flood event.
“This included brokering motel accommodation for people in urgent need of housing assistance.”
When asked if the government welcomed the suggestion of using State land to create temporary accommodation, and if they would give the necessary permissions to allow it to happen, there was no response from the department or Housing Minister Leanne Enoch.
“We will continue to work with local communities, Councils and Federal agencies to plan for and deliver short-term and long-term housing solutions suited to local needs.
“Our Immediate Response funding will be implemented alongside our current efforts to boost longer-term housing supply, including new construction of social housing, funding of Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) and private market assistance such as Bond Loans and Rental Grants.”
Despite being asked how many new homes would be built in the Moreton Bay region, and when construction would begin, there was no response from either Minister Enoch or the departmental spokesperson.
“In 2021-22, we allocated more than $4.45 million for nine SHS (Specialist Homelessness Services) in the Moreton Bay Local Government Area,” the spokesperson said.
“These services deliver 65 places of temporary supported accommodation and other support services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”
