ABC News discussion: “There are enough people looking for housing in Queensland right now to fill the Gabba. About 47,000 people have applied to the state’s housing register so will the government build more social housing or could private property development companies do more to home those in need?”
The Australian reports: “Turning housing into an asset class that could provide institutional investors with a competitive return would not only be a watershed for housing affordability, it is an opportunity to assist our economy to recover from the COVID-19 shutdown.”
Homelessness in Australia had spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic and might reach unprecedented levels in a deep recession, according to community groups calling for a multibillion-dollar social housing building program that would also stimulate the economy.
On 29 July 2020, Queensland Health advised of new cases of COVID-19 identified in the Logan area and that contact tracing is underway. In response to these new cases, the Department of Housing and Public Works is taking a proactive approach to communicating with key stakeholders including our funded providers.
The Queensland Government is focussed on keeping all Queenslanders healthy and safe during our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes supporting our state’s most vulnerable and providing the funding, structure and support required for the housing and homelessness sector to respond.
As our partners, your ongoing work during this critical time is making a real difference to Queenslanders. Please continue to stay in touch with your local contract officer, as your main contact during this time. The department will continue to provide email updates on how we are responding to COVID-19.
The Australian Alliance to End Homelessness (AAEH) has launched a sector wide lobbying campaign, Homes Beyond Covid, to raise awareness of the urgent needs of people who have now been temporarily sheltered in response to COVID-19.
The coronavirus pandemic may be the catalyst for a permanent increase to the unemployment benefit, with several consumer and social groups pushing against a return to the former rate of $565.70 after the stimulus payments conclude in September.
The number of Australians who couldn’t pay their mortgage or rent on time increased between April and May this year, with the level of housing stress substantially higher for renters than mortgage holders, new data shows.
Findings described in a report from the Australian National University paint a “disturbing picture” for renters and young adults when it comes to housing stress.
Industry super funds are set to endorse proposals for state and federal governments to release cheap land and offer tax incentives so that retirement funds can invest in affordable housing during the economic recovery.
Superannuation firms and community housing groups have been in discussions for 12 months about lobbying the federal government together for subsidies that would make low-cost housing feasible as a long-term investment.
The private rental market can be harsh, precarious and expensive, especially on a low income. The community housing sector is now seen as the great hope for the future. Can it fill the gap vacated by government?
While Finland is one of the most expensive cities in the world, its rate of homelessness is dramatically decreasing. It’s thanks to Housing First, a homelessness strategy guided by the principle that the need for permanent housing should be met first. So impressed by the results, one woman is bringing Housing First to Australia.