On 20^th October 2022, the Premier convened the Queensland Housing Summit (the Summit). The Summit followed the Queensland Housing Roundtable on 16^th September 2022 and was attended by 40 non‑government and government stakeholders. The Summit brought together almost 200 attendees, including people with lived experience of housing need, frontline service providers, housing industry and local government associations, and professional peak bodies to identify solutions to immediate challenges being experienced in Queensland in relation to housing in 2022, and plan solutions for the future. QDN has participated and contributed to both forums and welcomes the announcement of additional funds to support vulnerable people across Queensland in housing need.

You can read the QDN Summary of the Summit here.

Details of additional support being funded are outlined below:

Private rental assistance: $10 million

The Queensland Government is expanding access to private rental market assistance products to enable more Queenslanders to find private rental homes or maintain their current tenancy. Income limits are being increased to help more people access:

To find out if you're eligible for private rental assistance, contact you local Housing Service Centre. Call: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Immediate Housing Response package: $26 million

Are you finding it hard to keep up with your private rental payments at the moment?

The expanded Rental Security Subsidy will help Queensland families experiencing or at risk of homelessness stay in their homes or secure housing.

If you're eligible, you can have you rent subsidised for up to 12 months. The total amount of the subsidy is based on your household income and individual circumstances.

You can find out more about the Rental Security Subsidy through your local Housing Service Centre. To find your nearest centre go to Contact a Housing Service Centre | Homes and housing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Supporting tenancies: Over $11 million

The Queensland Government is supporting Queenslanders to sustain their private rental tenancies and stay in their homes by expanding tenancy sustainment services.

This includes additional homelessness support workers to help Queenslanders maintain their current tenancy by providing additional tailored support and brokerage funding for essentials.

You can call QSTARS (the Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice Services), a FREE high-quality advice and referral phone line to access up-to-date information about key tenancy issues, and advice to exercise your tenancy rights and responsibilities. Vulnerable renters can also receive support and resources for their tenancy situations.

If you need rental assistance, contact QSTARS on 1300 744 263. The line is open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, with extended hours to 7pm on Tuesday and Wednesdays. If you need support with your tenancy, contact your local Housing Services Centre.

Contact a Housing Service Centre | Homes and housing

Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Temporary emergency accommodation: $10 million

The Queensland Government is delivering more temporary emergency accommodation with on-site support by accessing underused accommodation.

The Queensland Government is continuing to look for opportunities to use commercial or alternative accommodation that is available to lease or purchase. This may include:

Hotels
Motels
Retirement and aged care facilities

The funding will assist in securing this type of accommodation and providing a range of support services.

Anyone at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, can contact the Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

Skillsets for Successful Tenancies

Many Queenslanders are in need of support to find and keep their tenancy.

Skillsets for Successful Tenancies is a program to help people develop and improve their tenancy skills for private rental market.

It's a free 10-hour training package delivered through approved training partners. It focuses on:

Budgeting
Communications skills
Cleaning and maintaining a rental property
Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant

Once you've finished the training, you'll get a certificate that you can include in future rental applications.

You can find out more by contacting the Tenacy Skills Institute or calling them on 07 3413 6997.

After-hours outreach: $8.5 million

The Queensland Government is ensuring people at risk of homelessness are connected to the services they need.

The're expanding after-hours outreach services to support adults, families and young people who are experiencing homelessness and make sure they are connected to services available.

More outreach services are being delivered in:

Brisbane
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
Townsville
Cairns

Anyone at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, can contact the Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

Emergency Relief: $2 million

If you or someone you know is going through a tough time and needs immediate support, there is help available.

The Queensland Government is funding emergency relief providers to help Queenslanders experiencing personal, family, relationship, or financial issues.

Queenslanders in need are eligible for vouchers, food parcels and support with paying bills.

Emergency relief providers may also refer customers to other support services such as financial counselling and budgeting support. If you need help, contact your local Housing Service Centre or find a provider here.

Food relief: $1.3 million

We know many people in our community are doing it tough right now and are struggling to get a meal on the table, including many who have not had to ask for help before.

If you or someone you know needs help, it is available.

The Queensland Government is partnering with Foodbank, OzHarvest and SecondBite to support Queenslanders in need with fresh food and meals delivered through breakfast programs, homeless shelter kitchens, food vans and neighbourhood and community centre food pantries.

For a list of food relif partners and to find someone in your area:

New and Improved housing support for Queenslanders