Home | Site map | Contact us | Help |

Related resources

• Latest news
• Related sites
• Publications

Your location: Home > About us > The Department of Housing > Overview of the department

The department's role

The Department of Housing plays an important role in providing direct and indirect housing assistance, and in influencing the overall housing system within Queensland to improve people's lives through housing. Our goal is to help create a housing system that provides safe, secure, affordable and appropriate housing to as many Queenslanders as possible. The department aims to deliver a range of housing assistance measures for those people who are unable to be readily housed in the broad housing system.

By taking a responsive, integrated and flexible service approach in developing solutions for unmet housing needs, the department aims to improve people’s access to secure, affordable and appropriate housing, which in turn will contribute to individual, family, and community sustainability.

Key issues for the department

Everybody needs a place to come home to. A home provides a sense of place and belonging, and is an important ingredient to people living full and satisfying lives. Children in particular are more likely to reach their full potential as adults if they grow up in a stable home set in a supportive neighbourhood.

However, many Queenslanders experience housing stress. The private rental market is too expensive for some; and others, including young people or Indigenous people, can experience discrimination. Housing that is accessible for people with disabilities can be difficult to find. Changing family size and structure and population and economic shifts, particularly in rural and remote areas of the State, can mean that traditional housing options are no longer available.

Expensive housing contributes to poverty for many Queenslanders. Poor quality or overcrowded housing can add to family stress and can exacerbate health complaints such as asthma for at-risk children. Neighbourhoods with high concentrations of poverty and unemployment can discourage and impede children and adults from improving their life circumstances. Insecure housing can result in people moving regularly against their wishes, contributing to isolation and weaker communities.

The department's response

The department is committed to working in partnership with industry, community and the private sector to help individuals find appropriate housing solutions. With a staff of over 1000 across Queensland, the department assists more than 240,000 Queensland households.

As at 30 June 2004, the Department of Housing had assets of almost $9.4 billion (which includes control of over 53,000 dwellings), and a total operating revenue for 2003-04 of almost $953 million.

Through its housing and renewal activities, the department is working to achieve the Government's commitment to Queenslanders of a better quality of life, more jobs, building Queensland's regions, skilling the workforce, providing safer and more supportive communities and valuing the environment.

To find out more, please view the department's Strategic Plan or Annual Report.

The Board of Management

Last updated 21 December 2007