THE Queensland government is delivering 147 new social homes in partnership with Vinnies, with another 13 now wrapping up works in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
The new homes with to be built in partnership with St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland will comprise 27 homes in Newton (Toowoomba), 60 homes in Walkervale (Bundaberg) and 60 homes in Nerang.
“Partnerships with organisations such as St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland are key to our delivery of more social housing for Queenslanders in need,” said Meaghan Scanlon, housing minister.
“What’s clear is all levels of government, industry and the community housing sector need to continue to work hand-in-hand to address national housing pressures as quickly as we can.”
The partnership will see the government contribute $58.65 million through its QuickStarts QLD program and Vinnies contribute more than $12 million, including the land.
“Through the State Government working with support organisations like Vinnies, we can provide more than just a place to live, but also ensure residents have access to wrap-around support for furniture, food and other essentials to provide hope and security in the long-term,” said Kevin Mercer, CEO at Vinnies Queensland.
QuickStarts QLD is set to see 3,265 homes commenced across the state before 30 June 2025 and is part of the $5 billion investment–the largest in Queensland’s history–into social and affordable housing to help see 13,500 homes delivered by 2027, after the investment was doubled last October.
Meanwhile, another project through the record social and affordable housing investment is nearing completion in the new Zillmere housing complex.
The 13 new apartments at the $5.1 million social housing complex are set to welcome new residents within weeks.
“I’m thrilled to see these thirteen units delivered for my community in Zillmere, providing much needed housing relief in our local area for those most vulnerable,” said Leanne Linard, member for Nudgee.
“Our community is not immune to the pressures we are seeing in housing nationally – but it is well placed to provide access to the important services, shops, and public transport that is essential to effective social housing development.
The residences include one one-bedroom, eight two-bedrooms and four three-bedroom apartments.
“I’m also very happy to see that these thirteen units delivered here will be mixed cohort, including suitability for families as well as high-level disability access in a number of units,” added Linard.
Over the course of the project, 16 full-time equivalent jobs were also created.
“We all feel good about delivering social housing. We’ve gone back and met some of the people in the past, and they’re people who need assistance,” said builder Anthony Barbagallo whose team has worked on around 700 social housing units for the Queensland Government.
These latest additions follow a further three social housing projects underway in Ipswich from earlier this month, which will provide 30 new homes for Queenslanders upon completion, with the government also finalising the purchase of another 52 new social homes this month.
