As our Queensland population increases and housing affordability decreases, demand for social housing assistance is growing.
It is now more important than ever that the resources we have for housing assistance are used effectively and that assistance is provided to the people who need it most—for the time that it is needed. This is why we have introduced the Ongoing Eligibility policy.
Under the Ongoing Eligibility policy, social housing tenants who have improved their circumstances and are financially able to move into the private housing market will be asked to do so. This will make more social housing available to households in greater need.
It is likely that only a small percentage of existing tenants will be affected by the Ongoing Eligibility policy.
The policy only affects households where the combined income of the tenant and their spouse exceeds $80,000 per year or where any household member owns or part owns property.
The department will be advising households that are no longer eligible for social housing under the new policy that they have six months to transition into the private rental market or home ownership.
I know many of the department's tenants are appreciative of the difference social housing has made in their lives. Introduction of the Ongoing Eligibility policy is designed to ensure others in need of assistance also have the opportunity to benefit from social housing assistance, while they need it.
I encourage any tenants who have concerns regarding their eligibility under the new policy to contact staff at their nearest Department of Housing office.
Natalie MacDonald
Director-General
Department of Housing
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