An overview of community housing

Community Housing is a form of social housing assistance delivered by community organisations and local governments to eligible individuals and families.

Community housing providers are registered under the Housing Act 2003. They receive funds from the department to provide community-based solutions to local housing need through:

• crisis, transitional and long-term accommodation
• information, advice and advocacy to residential tenants and people in housing need
• private housing support - information and assistance for older people and people with a disability living in their own home or renting privately.

Under the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan, Queensland will receive approximately 4,000 new social housing properties, with 2,700 delivered in 2010 and the remainder by June 2012.

The Plan's Social Housing Initiative will increase the involvement of the not-for-profit housing sector. Approximately 1,500 dwellings will be delivered through capital grants to registered providers with the remaining delivered by turnkey arrangements. Properties will be allocated to providers as they come on line.

The department works with community housing providers within one social housing system, to ensure that housing assistance is provided to households in greatest need for the duration of that need.

The Queensland Government's plan for community and local government-managed housing and housing-related services to 2011 is captured in the Community Housing Direction Statement. The statement describes the contribution of community and local government-managed housing and housing services within the social housing system, why change is needed, and the department's strategic priorities for achieving its vision.

To support providers in the delivery of a strong and viable social housing system, a range of mechanisms have been established through the Strengthening Social Housing Strategy.

A range of on-line resources are also available to assist providers operating within one social housing system. These include policies, procedures, forms and information sheets on how to deliver funded services within one social housing system.

For more information, contact the department.