Queensland Government
Department of Housing and Public Works
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Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan - Social Housing Initiative

The Australian Government's $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan is protecting the Australian economy from the global downturn by stimulating the building industry.

Funding of $5.238 billion, over three-and-a-half years from 2008 to 2012, is being provided by the Australian Government for the construction of new social housing across Australia. A further $400 million over two years (2008 to 2010) was provided for repairs and maintenance to existing social housing dwellings.

In Queensland, social housing is benefiting from an investment of $1.085 billion in federal funding, which is expected to deliver 4,000 new homes and support over 2,000 jobs per year over the life of the Social Housing Initiative. This significant investment will provide a much needed boost to Queensland's social housing and to housing administered by not-for-profit organisations.

A further $80 million was spent between 2008 and 2010 to complete over 25,000 repairs and maintenance jobs, increasing the amenity and livability of existing social housing.

Delivery

To meet the requirements of the Australian Government, Queensland will deliver social housing through capital grants and capital works/turnkey arrangements.

Capital grants

An important element of the Social Housing Initiative is to help with the growth of large, independent and capable not-for-profit organisations within the housing sector that are able to facilitate partnerships within the government and private sectors. Funding is also being provided to smaller not-for-profit organisations with a targeted need within their communities.

Of the 4,000 dwellings to be constructed, almost 1,400 are being delivered through capital grants to not-for-profit organisations. These organisations are managing the delivery of the construction projects.

Capital works/turnkey approach

The Queensland Government will deliver the remaining 2,600 dwellings under capital works and turnkey arrangements. These properties will be managed by preferred not-for-profit organisations selected through an Expression of Interest process held in June 2009.

Capital works refers to dwellings that are constructed by developers on land owned by the Queensland Government.

The term 'turnkey' is used to describe a completed house and land package that is ready for immediate use. Through a tender process, the Department of Housing and Public Works considered proposals from developers, with a preference for one and two-bedroom units in two to 12-unit complexes.

For more information about the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan - Social Housing Initiative in Queensland, please refer to the following resources:

For information about the Australian Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, refer to:

  • Community

    Social housing in Queensland is benefiting from an investment of around $1.165 billion of federal funding under the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan – Social Housing Initiative.

  • Industry

    The Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan – Social Housing Initiative is the largest social housing infrastructure project undertaken in Queensland in decades, set to deliver 4,000 homes across the state by June 2012.

  • Not-for-profit organisations

    Not-for-profit organisations perform an important role in delivering services that help to improve the lives of people in our communities. They make a valuable contribution to the social housing system by providing assistance to people.

  • Residents and applicants

    The benefits of increased investment in social housing through the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan – Social Housing Initiative include more housing for people in need, secured jobs and apprenticeships, upgraded and well-maintained social housing homes, and shorter waiting times for applicants.

  • Design guidelines

    These design briefs for houses and apartments describe the amenity requirements for social housing delivered as part of the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.