The Australian Government has committed $42 billion, through the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan, to target critical community infrastructure in education, social housing, transport and the environment.
The Social Housing Initiative aims to expand the supply of much needed social housing in Queensland and to increase the involvement of the not-for-profit housing sector. Under the initiative, Queensland will receive approximately $1.2 billion for new social housing and for repairs and maintenance of existing social housing stock. By December 2010, approximately 2,700 of the expected 4,000 new social housing properties will have been constructed, with the remaining dwellings completed by June 2012. The funding includes:
- $80 million for repairs and maintenance of existing social housing, split equally over two years
- $1.085 billion for stage one and two for the construction of new social housing.
An important element of the Social Housing Initiative is to assist with the growth of large, independent and capable not-for-profit housing providers that are able to facilitate partnerships within the government and private sectors. The main focus of the Social Housing Initiative is to:
- house people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness
- maximise the participation of not-for-profit providers in the development and management of housing
- acquire dwellings through new construction to maximise the economic stimulus effect.
Stage one and two update
Stage one of the plan is progressing well and the approval processes are underway. Construction is commencing for projects under stage two. Of the 4,000 dwellings to be constructed, 1,500 will be delivered through capital grants to not-for-profit organisations. These organisations will manage the delivery of the construction projects. The remaining 2,500 dwellings will be delivered by the department as turnkey arrangements.
The contributions made by organisations to the initiative range from land, cash and borrowings to significant local government infrastructure charges or professional pro-bono work, either directly or indirectly through partnership arrangements.
Social Housing Initiative - Tenancy Management Expression of Interest Outcome
Expressions of Interest (EoI) were sought from housing providers registered under the Housing Act 2003 (or prepared to undertake registration) to manage new social housing properties constructed through the department's capital works program. Applications closed on Monday 6 July 2009. The department received 56 applications from providers across the state.
The EoI process identified organisations that met both Commonwealth and state objectives and established a list of preferred providers to manage new department-owned social housing properties throughout Queensland.
All applicants were assessed against both mandatory and performance criteria and the organisations' willingness and capacity to increase the size of their social housing business.
Applicants who met the mandatory and performance criteria were grouped into three categories:
- Regional providers single or multiple regions Regional providers single or multiple regions - These providers have met all mandatory and performance criteria and will be the preferred provider for tenancy management of new department-owned social housing in each region. They are large tenancy managers who have aspirations and capacity to increase the size of their social housing business, and have either a national or state head office, or are working within the Greater Brisbane area or major regional centres.
- Rural/local providers Rural/local providers - These providers will be considered for tenancy management of new department-owned social housing when a more localised response is required, particularly for cases where distance may impact on service delivery. These providers are generally smaller, more rural or sub-regional based.
- Other providers Other providers - These providers indicated a low-level of growth or have limited experience managing generic long-term social housing. They are generally smaller, more targeted housing providers such as crisis accommodation or disability providers. Providers in this category will only be considered as tenancy managers for department-owned social housing if a regional provider or rural/local provider cannot manage the property.
For more information about the Expression of Interest process for social housing management, please read the Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions .
For more information about the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan - Social Housing Initiative, please refer to the following resources:
- The regional map for providers
- Social Housing Initiative Guidelines
- Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan - Social Housing Initiative Fact Sheet Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan - Social Housing Initiative Fact Sheet
- Application for Capital Grant funding
- Expression of Interest Tenancy Management of Social Housing
- Investment in the not-for-profit social housing sector in Queensland
For information about the Australian Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, refer to:
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