Annual Report 2005-06
The Director-General's message
Director-General
During 2005-06, the Department of Housing commenced implementing a major reform to the way housing services are delivered to people on low incomes. This year has seen an acceleration of our response to Queenslanders in housing need, as we introduced and embedded a significant number of changes that are already making a difference.
More households are seeking our assistance as they struggle to find suitable and affordable housing in the private market. The type of demand is also changing with an increasing number of clients needing intensive assistance delivered with the support of other Government or community services.
The department is confronting these challenges by increasing the supply of social housing, better targeting our services to the housing needs and risks faced by clients, ensuring greater coordination of social housing resources across providers and investigating new and innovative approaches to provide housing.
During the year, the natural environment threw us additional challenges, such as Cyclone Larry, which called for a flexible, prompt response from Government. As well as assisting our clients housed in departmental properties, the department took on an expanded role to coordinate housing-related strategies to assist all affected residents displaced from their homes.
New strategic direction
A significant work priority for the department is the phased implementation of one social housing system, which commenced on 1 January 2006. Under one social housing system, the department is moving from a wait-turn system for social housing to allocating assistance based on the level of housing need. Although the business of the department is in a transitional stage, we have made considerable progress in implementing the reforms:
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By the end of June 2006, the department had combined the waiting lists of its two direct rental programs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing and public housing, with an immediate benefit that some Indigenous applicants are being housed sooner than they would have been previously. A common application form is being used for both of these programs and common eligibility criteria apply. These changes will be progressively introduced to all community and local government-managed housing.
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To ensure housing assistance is provided for the duration of clients’ need, households entering social housing after 1 January 2006 will have their circumstances regularly reviewed to determine if they have a continued need for social housing. In July 2005, the department introduced a Tenancies in Reviewable Properties policy, applicable to all tenancies in public housing, whereby tenants’ ongoing need for dwellings with five or more bedrooms, or with full wheelchair accessibility, is reviewed annually.
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The department also implemented changes to the public housing rent policy on 1 July 2005 to make rent assessments simpler, more consistent and equitable, and to minimise any work disincentives for tenants.
The benefits to our clients include better integration between the range of housing programs funded or subsidised by the Government to make it easier for them to navigate through the social housing system.
Community housing reforms
Another priority for the department was to work with the 450 community and local government providers, funded by the department to provide housing and housing-related services throughout Queensland, to commence the reforms necessary to achieve a more robust and planned network of funded organisations.
Community and local government-managed housing providers manage approximately 10,000 social housing dwellings, including around 4,000 dwellings on discrete Indigenous communities. The considerable variation in the size, organisational structures, funding arrangements and geographic coverage of the providers presents some challenges to the reform process. Many of these providers offer specialist housing services and support, and play a particularly important role in rural areas of the State.
A number of strategies outlined in this report have and will continue to be implemented, to coordinate the provision of services as part of one social housing system. The department is committed to sharing knowledge and coordinating processes, as we progressively implement the new directions for community and local government-managed housing.
Housing for Indigenous people
As well as promoting equitable access to mainstream programs and services, the department delivers funding programs targeted to the needs of Indigenous Queenslanders in urban, rural and remote communities.
Since 1992, the department has provided grant funding to the 34 discrete Indigenous communities to enable them to provide upgrades to, and replace and construct rental properties which are owned and managed by the community councils.
In 2005-06, the department completed a property condition audit and tenant survey program on all government-funded housing in these communities. The results from the audits and surveys will inform the development of a comprehensive housing management plan for each community to raise and sustain the standard of housing and improve the way housing services are provided within Indigenous communities.
New ways of providing assistance
The department has also worked hard to boost interest by the private sector in the supply of affordable housing in Australia, including developing a Queensland Government concept called Queensland Home-link. The proposal counters one of the largest challenges for investors and tenants in the private rental market: providing a secure, yet flexible tenancy arrangement.
Future direction
The department will continue to work towards achieving the goals set out in its Strategic Plan, with a priority on implementing one social housing system and collaborating with other government agencies and non-government organisations to better meet client needs through coordinated housing and support services.
We will also continue to play a major part in the ongoing roll-out of the Government’s homelessness strategy and mental health initiatives. We will focus on making significant improvements to housing in remote Indigenous communities, identifying opportunities in the private housing market to secure housing for people on low incomes, as well as addressing systemic barriers to the provision of affordable housing in Queensland.
Implementing significant change is only possible with the support of our stakeholders and clients, and the commitment of staff. I acknowledge the hard work which has been, and continues to be, undertaken across the department and in the community as we strive to transform the social housing system in Queensland.
This report will inform you of the housing services and assistance provided last year by the department to Queenslanders experiencing housing stress and the contribution the department made to improving people’s lives through housing and community renewal. I encourage you to read the report, and invite you to provide feedback by returning the survey form.
Natalie MacDonald
Director-General
Last updated 06 November 2006
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