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The 2006–07 year has been an important period of development as the Department of Housing continued to face increasing demand being placed upon the social housing sector as a result of population growth and the increased cost of housing. We have sought new and innovative ways to boost social housing and better meet the needs of our clients by further transforming the social housing system in Queensland.

A comprehensive picture of the department’s performance for the year is outlined in the department’s 2006–07 Annual Report, available at www.housing.qld.gov.au. It details the department’s achievements, activities and financial position, and outlines the future direction.

I acknowledge the hard work and commitment of department staff and stakeholders that has enabled us to continue to reshape the social housing system and increase the supply of affordable housing.

Natalie MacDonald
Director-General

Improving people’s lives through housing and community renewal

The department is improving access to safe, secure, affordable and appropriate housing, and working with stakeholders to deliver sustainable solutions to local issues in renewal communities. During 2006–07, the department:

• assisted almost 255,000 Queenslanders by providing 78,039 households with social rental housing and helping 176,947 households access or sustain private market tenure. This included assisting 18,754 Indigenous households, 24,097 households with a person with a disability and 27,549 households with an older person
• funded and/or managed 65,490 properties (a 2.3% increase from last year)
• contributed $13.3 million towards improving Community Renewal zones through 122 projects
• continued to move toward a simpler and fairer way to provide housing assistance through one social housing system.

One social housing system: A simpler and fairer system

Significant progress has been made to implement the one social housing system. During 2006–07, the department:

• developed a consistent application and assessment process for long-term social rental housing providers to ensure simplicity and equity for clients
• amended the ongoing eligibility policy which assesses the income level of tenants to ensure housing is provided to those in need for the duration of their need
• introduced the Consolidation of Urban Organisations Strategy which is resulting in community organisations merging so they are more viable and responsive in the longer term. The department is supporting this activity with an investment of $10.2 million
• developed and trialled an operating model for Rent Start, a headleasing program to secure private rental properties for low-income applicants seeking longer term social housing.

In addition, preparatory work was completed to create a combined wait list for department, community and local government-managed long-term social housing. The redevelopment of the client intake and assessment process was also progressed to enhance the way housing need is assessed.

Improving services to Indigenous people

The department assisted 18,754 Indigenous households through targeted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing rental and community programs, as well as through its mainstream programs and products. The department:

• expended $38.9 million under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Rental Program which resulted in:
  • an additional 92 dwellings
  • commencing construction of an additional 15 dwellings
  • land purchases for future construction of approximately 18 dwellings
  • upgrades to existing dwellings
• provided $52.4 million to Indigenous councils through the Housing Improvement Program to increase the supply and improve the amenity of long-term social housing in 34 Indigenous communities. Through this program, 91 new and replacement dwellings were constructed, 190 existing properties have been upgraded, and significant maintenance has been performed on more than 4,000 properties
• funded a range of Community Renewal projects or activities identified by Indigenous organisations and Elders’ groups to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Community Renewal zones
• approved funding for another 17 Community Renewal projects targeted towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• provided 19 accommodation shelters, managed by community organisations, to assist Indigenous people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, in crisis, or in need of transitional support.

Progressing whole-of-Government initiatives

As part of the Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness initiative, which is delivering housing and related services for clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, the department completed the upgrade and conversion of Roma House into short-term intensive supported accommodation to house up to 39 clients. Roma House officially opened in November 2006 and is the first stage of the redevelopment of the Lady Bowen Complex. The department also purchased and constructed more than 35 additional dwellings and provided $2.3 million in grant funding to community organisations to deliver housing related services.

In conjunction with Queensland Health, Disability Services Queensland and the Spinal Injuries Association, the department is providing housing and support options for people with a spinal cord injury who are ready to leave the Spinal Cord Injuries Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. This initiative enables those assisted to move towards greater independence, self-reliance and re-integration in their communities. In 2006–07, the department commenced construction of 24 dwellings and purchased three properties, at a cost of $3.5 million. Thirteen applicants were housed in social rental housing and the department progressed solutions for five other applicants. A further $0.25 million was distributed in grant funding through the Home and Community Care Home Modification Service to complete three home modifications and commence another three modifications.

In line with the Council of Australian Government’s National Action Plan on Mental Health, the department is working with Disability Services Queensland and Queensland Health to provide housing and support to clients affected by a mental illness who are able to live in the community with appropriate clinical and non-clinical support. The department spent $17.6 million to purchase 80 dwellings and housed 53 clients as part of the Housing and Support Program. The remaining properties are being allocated to approved clients under this program.

Implementing innovative responses

The department has committed $15 million over three years to the newly created Gold Coast Housing Company to increase its portfolio and broaden its service delivery. The company was formed through the merger of the Gold Coast Visions Housing Limited and the Gold Coast Community Housing Association Incorporated. This merger has built a more viable organisation to better meet the needs of low-to-moderate income earners on the Gold Coast. At 30 June 2007, the Gold Coast Housing Company was managing 204 dwellings.

Thousands of Queensland residents live in caravan parks and for many this is an affordable and desirable housing option. To avoid the loss of 187 affordable caravan park sites, the department acquired two caravan parks this year at a cost of $8.3 million.

Saving water

The department is committed to whole-of-Government water saving initiatives and is taking steps to reduce water usage in social housing. A number of activities were conducted to save water during 2006–07. The department:

• installed water-efficient shower roses and water-flow restrictors in 26,021 social housing dwellings at a cost of $4.5 million
• provided $2.2 million in grant funding through Home Assist Secure services to supply and install AAA rated, hand-held shower devices in 10,879 dwellings of private low-income households
• promoted water conservation to social housing tenants at the start of new tenancies through tenant newsletter articles and annual property inspections
• provided community housing providers with water saving hints and advised them of their responsibilities under level five water restrictions.

As an example of the result of the department’s efforts, there was a 41% reduction in water consumption by social housing tenants in the Brisbane City Council area, for the period October to December 2006 compared to the same period in 2004.

Last updated 02 November 2007