Director-General's message

In 2007-08, the department continued to respond to housing need by increasing the housing services provided to low-income households, assisting households to remain in the private housing market, and helping build sustainable communities.

A more efficient and responsive housing system

Increasing property prices and rents, record low vacancy rates in the private sector, and housing demand exceeding supply of new constructions in the private market are all affecting housing affordability.

In this environment, it is critical that Government-funded housing assistance is provided to Queenslanders in greatest need for the duration of their need. A responsive and effective social housing system incorporating all housing and housing service providers, and supporting the integrated provision of a broad range of housing assistance for low-income Queenslanders, is the key objective.

In 2007-08, we have:

• assisted 259,597 households to access or sustain housing, including 15,394 new households into social housing,
• funded and/or managed more than 65,450 social housing dwellings,
• expanded the range of housing assistance available, through the development of additional products and housing options,
• conducted extensive reviews of all applicants on the department's combined wait list to understand the extent and nature of their housing need,
• developed a state-wide register of need for Queenslanders seeking housing assistance, and developed referral mechanisms for all social housing providers in the State,
• continued to support the development and growth of community-based housing providers,
• added 967 dwellings/housing units to the overall social housing stock in Queensland,
• commenced construction on a further 849 dwellings,
• expended $417.1 million on capital works and capital grants (including $85 million from the Queensland Future Growth Fund), and
• improved the amenity of existing social housing accommodation.

I commend the efforts of departmental staff and the network of community housing and housing support providers for their support in progressing reforms to implement one social housing system.

Housing services

In 2007-08, the department spent approximately $18 million per week to support Queenslanders to access and sustain housing. This includes capital developments as well as grants to community organisations which provide invaluable housing services.

For example, the Home Assist Secure Program and the Home and Community Care Home Modification Service provided free information and referrals about, or subsidised assistance for, home maintenance, fall prevention, repairs and modifications and home security to 61,879 households that received assistance through either of these programs.

A total of $4.9 million was also expended as grants to support tenant advice and advocacy services delivered through 24 organisations throughout the State. From this, 71,088 households were assisted with information on their rights and responsibilities as tenants and information and referral advice to access safe, secure and affordable housing.

To support people who are able to access and maintain private market accommodation, the department commenced the trial of RentConnect (in Caboolture and Central Queensland), designed to help people find a tenancy in the private rental market. RentConnect officers will assist clients by identifying the type of assistance they may need, help them with preparing a rental application, and link them to real estate agents and community services.

Innovative responses

Through the Housing Improvement Program for Indigenous communities, in 2007-08 the department provided tenancy management to four Indigenous communities with approximately 400 rental properties. During the year, payment of rent by tenants in these communities has increased by 20%. With the department matching rent payments dollar for dollar, this has meant more funds provided to councils to expend on new housing or upgrades to existing housing. Together, council members, residents and the department have worked hard to achieve noticeable improvements to the quality of houses in the communities.

The department has adopted a flexible approach to purchasing and renovating types of accommodation that have not previously existed in the department's portfolio of assets. Buying and renovating older-style motels has proven to be an effective way to deliver both transitional and long-term social housing rapidly. To date, 102 units of motel-style accommodation have been purchased at a cost of $14.3 million.

Owning their own home gives many people the feeling of permanence, security and belonging to a community, but for some home ownership is difficult to achieve. The Pathways Shared Equity Loan has been added to the suite of loan products the department offers to help departmental tenants purchase their rental property.

Major or new initiatives

Earlier this year while most of the State suffered extreme drought conditions, residents in Central Queensland had to contend with devastating floods. Some departmental properties in Mackay and Emerald were evacuated due to flood damage with those affected quickly moved to other social housing properties, while QBuild repaired the damage to their homes. The department also issued bond loans to assist others to remain in the private rental market.

2007-08 also marked the third year of the Queensland Government's Responding to Homelessness initiative. Our contribution this year has included the purchase of a 12-bedroom facility for homeless people on the Gold Coast at a cost of $2.5 million under the Crisis Accommodation Program, and the construction of 34 studio apartments and continued upgrade works on 55 studio units at the Lady Bowen Complex.

To further the work the department has undertaken in collaboration with Queensland Health, Disability Services Queensland and the Department of Communities on the Mental Health Housing with Support Strategy, the department purchased 39 dwellings at a cost of $11.3 million. Accommodation solutions were also provided to 34 Queensland Health clients.

The department expended $14.6 million to provide housing solutions to clients discharged from the Princess Alexandra Spinal Cord Injuries Unit under the Spinal Cord Injuries initiative, which is delivered in partnership with Disability Services Queensland, Queensland Health and the Spinal Injuries Association.

Strengthening our communities

Our Community Renewal program continues to support community engagement and service delivery options in Community Renewal zones. More than 170 projects, with an injection of $16.1 million of program funding, have been approved across the State. Many of the projects target issues related to youth engagement in the community and in schooling, community health and well-being, employment, training and education, infrastructure developments and upgrades, and support and promotion of multicultural events and activities to reconnect communities.

Future directions

During 2007-08, the former Service Delivery and Performance Commission conducted a review of the department with the department setting exceptional standards. In the findings of the review, it was noted that the department had achieved outstanding results for the benefit of our clients. The department intends to retain its very high standards as it moves forward.

Demand for housing assistance is likely to remain high through 2008-09. The department will continue the expansion of social housing stock across the State, through its own delivery as well as through community housing organisations. It will progress and refine reforms to ensure clients are matched to products which will best suit their needs.

The department will continue to work with agencies within the State and the national housing initiatives being developed by the Australian Government to improve housing options for Queenslanders.

The pages that follow feature the achievements of the department over the past year in more detail. Together with my colleagues and teams, I look forward to expanding upon the department's successes in the coming year. I invite you to provide feedback on the report by emailing the department at annual.report@housing.qld.gov.au.