Over the past two years, the Department of Housing has been making significant changes to improve the range of housing assistance available for clients through one social housing system in Queensland.
One combined waiting list for social housing, now called the housing register, was established to make it easier for people in housing need to apply for social housing.
Another major change commenced in September with a new client intake and assessment process which prioritises applicants on the basis of their housing need to ensure those with the greatest need are assisted first.
The department also aims to assist people renting in the private market with new services such as RentConnect, which is being trialled in Caboolture and Central Queensland.
We are also working with the Australian Government to deliver the National Rental Affordability Scheme in Queensland. The department will refer eligible applicants from its housing register to approved developers under the scheme, who will select tenants for their properties and manage the tenancies.
These new and innovative approaches will continue to be introduced as the department works in partnership with the Australian Government, the private sector, local government and the community sector to create a stronger, more dynamic and responsive housing system.
I wish you well for the festive season and hope that 2009 is a prosperous and good year for everyone.
Natalie MacDonald
Director-General
Department of Housing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License