Today’s State Budget commitment of a $2.9 billion investment into social housing will save thousands of Queenslanders from facing homelessness, according to Vinnies Queensland CEO Kevin Mercer.

Today’s announcement included a Housing and Homelessness Action Plan which will dedicate a $1.9 billion investment over four years to boost social housing supply and homelessness support across Queensland.

It also includes the establishment of a $1 billion Housing Investment Fund to support current and future housing need.

Mr Mercer said the State Government’s announcement comes a critical time, as mass migration from residents of Victoria and New South Wales had put additional pressure on the state’s housing shortage.

“Our homelessness support services have been under great strain over the last financial year,” Mr Mercer said.

“Our crisis accommodation centres are at capacity and it’s rare to find anywhere in Queensland that isn’t experiencing a scarcity of affordable and social housing options.

“This funding will go a long way to ensuring vulnerable Queenslanders can find a place to call home.”

Mr Mercer said he had heard of families resorting to sleeping in their car or in tents as they struggled to find a place to stay in the current rental climate.

“A home is essential to a life of safety and dignity,” he said.

“But finding somewhere to live is just the first step of transitioning out of homelessness – long term support is critical to help people stay off the streets.

“We are greatly encouraged by the State Government’s commitment to work closely with service providers to integrate support services for people entering and exiting social housing.”

Vinnies Queensland was one of 12 state organisations and charities who partnered with the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) to advocate to state representatives for a vital investment in social and affordable housing.

“While this investment in social housing is long overdue, it’s heartening to see this level of commitment from our political leaders,” Mr Mercer said.

“In a state as wealthy as Queensland, everyone should have a home.”

As of July 2020, Queensland’s social housing waiting list was at more than 47,000 people – around 15,000 of which are considered ‘high risk’, including people experiencing homelessness.

Mr Mercer also welcomed the State Budget’s commitment for state jobs, health, social inclusion, domestic and family violence support and infrastructure projects.

In the last financial year, Vinnies Queensland’s homelessness services assisted 3,641 people across the state and provided nearly 96,000 nights of accommodation for people in need.