Queensland’s Crisafulli Government has handed down its first Budget this week, with Church providers welcoming support for people struggling in the state’s housing crisis. Source: The Catholic Leader.
State Treasurer David Janetzki said the Budget delivered on election promises and provided responsible cost-of-living measures.
Almost $600 million in funding for homelessness support and $5.6 billion in social housing funds included in Budget will go some way to relieve pressure from growing demand faced by homelessness support organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland.
Vinnies chief executive officer Kevin Mercer welcomed funding of $209 million for homelessness services, $366 million for crisis accommodation and head leasing and more flexible access to social and affordable housing funding, saying last year’s record social housing build announcement needed to be partnered with immediate homelessness solutions.
“With the state housing waiting list recently exceeding the 50,000 Queenslanders mark, last year’s announcement of 53,500 social homes by 2044 is even more important to deliver in response to our housing crisis,” Mr Mercer said.
“What we need now is immediate solutions to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness while these homes are being built, and the state Budget includes some funding to support this.
“This issue remains critical – one of the missing pieces for Queensland right now is access to medium-term housing, for people moving between short-term crisis and long-term accommodation, and a $5.6 billion investment into new social and community housing initiatives should help address that.”
Mr Mercer was encouraged by the continuation of cost-of-living support with the back-to-school boost and electricity rebate indexing, but there was still more opportunity to boost homelessness prevention by helping Queenslanders struggling with rising rent costs to maintain tenancies.
Mr Mercer also acknowledged initiatives to invest in education and remove financial barriers of entry for primary school students, as well as reducing costs for Queenslanders to access medical services.
FULL STORY
Vinnies welcomes state budget support for homelessness, more needed to meet soaring demand (The Catholic Leader)
