The housing and homelessness crisis is worsening across Australia, as the country is facing a lack of affordable housing, limited wrap-around support services and systemic barriers prolonging inequality. These multifaceted issues call for an urgent need for comprehensive and scalable solutions.
In Queensland, Q Shelter is working to influence solutions to housing needs and homelessness. The statewide peak body has been around for 35 years and is funded primarily by the Queensland State Government. Its two main functions are: (1) to provide the government with policy and investment ideas and solutions to address those needs, and (2) to build the sector’s capacity and resilience to continue delivering solutions for a long time.
At the 7th National Housing and Homelessness Forum, Jackson Hills, Q Shelter Head of Policy & Strategic Engagement, is part of a roster of panellists who will talk about translating the federal budget from a state perspective into housing impact. Third Sector asked him a few questions to give us insights into the panel discussion.
How can the housing and homelessness sector benefit from this year’s federal budget allocations?
The recent federal budget has come out just before the election. We did expect to see some things in there that would be considered election-focused.
Just more recently, there have been announcements around some incentives for people to get into the homeownership market, which is welcome, as we would like to see homeownership rates grow. They’ve been declining for the last three decades in Australia, and that puts more pressure on the private rental market.
Another initiative that we saw in the budget that’s welcome for those of us involved in the national and state shelter movements is an allocation of about $6.2 million from the federal government to go towards peak and industry bodies to look at various projects, initiatives and policy development in the housing and homelessness space. And we look forward to putting forward proposals for that, as the national peak and industry bodies haven’t been funded by the federal government since about 2012.
We also welcome the continuation of the Housing Australia Future Fund, which is seeking to develop 40,000 social affordable housing units, as it’s a big play to grow the community housing system. That policy area is contested by some of the major parties, but we certainly appreciate that Labor is pushing for that to be continued for a long time and support that as a sector.
What’s disappointing is that there was no allocation for the National Housing and Homelessness Plan. We understood that Labor have finalised that plan in this term of government, and it’s important that a national plan is legislated. We’ll be seeking commitments from major parties to do that in the next term of government as well.
In Queensland’s case, how can the state utilise the federal budget funding to address housing challenges and priorities tailored to local needs?
A lot of the funding allocation is pretty much based on population, and that is fair and reasonable, but except for when there’s accelerated growth in some locations more than others. Queensland is seeing an accelerated population growth level, and there is a lot of migration into it.
Our rental market is also precarious now. Our housing supply rates are not meeting population needs, so there is a lot of pressure on the housing system that disproportionately impacts low- to moderate-income households. That’s the same across the country, but it’s a little bit more pronounced in Queensland.
Construction costs and some other labour challenges are also more pronounced in Queensland and WA. That needs to be factored into the nuance around some of those policy areas. Most funding allocations need to be based on need, not just traditional allocations based on a per-head population. That is what we continue to advocate for.
Also, most of the population growth in Queensland is coming into the southeast corner. Even though half the state’s population is in the regions now, there will be a lot of moves to consolidate and deliver more medium- to high-density housing in Southeast Queensland, particularly as we get closer to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032. That’s something that state and federal governments need to work closely with local governments and the sector to deliver.
We all want to have long-term solutions to the housing and homelessness crisis. How can we achieve long-term housing sustainability goals?
At Q Shelter, we believe in a healthy housing system, and that means there’s an appropriate number of buildings for everyone and lots of choice in that market. People aren’t put into a pigeonhole or pushed into inappropriate accommodation options. That’s about housing diversity.
It’s also about making sure that there’s appropriate housing for low- to moderate-income households in inner city locations, which is quite difficult to achieve now. But these people are often key workers in the economy, so it’s critical that housing is provided for them in the city location options.
Also, pointing to our system where people are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, we need more permanent supportive housing, a housing that’s delivered with support services. It’s often the best way of helping people who have been chronically homeless. They need that intensive support; just the brick and mortar isn’t enough to break that cycle. We’d like to see more investment in that permanent supportive housing at that end of the system.
And delivering the appropriate amount of housing in each of those areas takes more alliance of other government systems, including primary health and justice. There’s a strong social and economic case for more housing, particularly low-cost housing.
What should people look forward to in the panel discussion?
I’m looking forward to joining my colleagues from the other states and territories and national peak bodies on this panel. It could be a great crescendo for two days of talk about housing and homelessness solutions, to bring all that together in this session and look at a way forward. It will require all levels of government, the community and the private sector working closely together. And I’m sure we’ll explore some of that.
Catch Jackson Hills and co-panellists to know what cross-state collaboration looks like for a greater housing impact. Secure your spot for the Housing and Homelessness Forum now.
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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