From October 2011, a new localised social housing model will see the state government lease around 140 properties to Maranoa Regional Council through Queensland's first Rural Housing Service Centre.
Under the pilot project, the Maranoa Regional Council will assume responsibility for the tenancy management of 140 properties owned by the state government in the region, in addition to its own portfolio of approximately 40 community housing properties.
The Maranoa Regional Council is an experienced provider of social housing in the region and operates as a long-term community housing provider regulated by the state government under the Housing Act 2003.
It is hoped that by consolidating the management of almost 180 social housing properties in the region, through the Rural Housing Service Centre, benefits and cost savings will flow directly back into the local community.
One of the key benefits of the two year pilot for social housing tenants is that their property managers will be local people who live and work in the Roma area. Consolidating services means any surplus income generated would allow the Maranoa Regional Council to invest back into extra housing to help meet the regions’ growing demand for social and affordable housing. This model of service would also generate employment and training opportunities in the region.
This progressive model of social housing management demonstrates the Queensland Government’s commitment to supporting sustainable regional communities, and represents a significant investment in the Maranoa region.
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