A $56m funding injection to help slow the impacts of our state housing crisis have been welcomed, however Vinnies Queensland say these are just the first steps in a long journey ahead for thousands of displaced Queenslanders.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced an action plan following the Queensland Housing Summit last month, including nearly $12m to help 2,500 Queenslanders stay on their leases, $10m towards temporary emergency accommodation and $3.3m for cost-of-living relief.

Vinnies Queensland CEO Kevin Mercer said he applauded the State Government for taking the initiative to develop solutions from the Housing Summit but said the extra funding will not be enough in itself to address the scale of the crisis.

“The results of the Housing Summit are very welcomed, especially addressing the need for short-term solutions to prevent some at-risk Queenslanders from becoming  homeless,” Mr Mercer said.

“We need solutions that help people now, whilst addressing the long-term need through constructing thousands of new social homes a year.

“But there is still much work to be done to address the scale and growth of the need for safe, secure and affordable housing.  

Every day, our St Vincent de Paul members hear from more and more Queensland families, including young children, struggling to secure affordable housing and are staring imminent homelessness in the face.

“This plan offers hope but it’s just the start of what will be a long journey ahead to reverse the damage the housing crisis has caused for vulnerable Queenslanders.”

Mr Mercer said today’s announcement that much of the infrastructure for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics will be repurposed for social housing was a welcomed initiative to provide a needed long-term boost.

“As welcome as this news is; we should aspire to a broader vision,” he said.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if over the next 10 years, we could show the world we have solved our housing crisis and that all Queenslanders have access to safe, secure and affordable accommodation?”

 “We look forward to continuing to work with the State Government to ensure we give this issue the attention, and solutions, it deserves and anticipate these post-Summit actions and more being delivered over the months ahead.”

Vinnies Queensland was one of the homelessness support organisations invited to take part in October’s Summit.

In the 2021-22 financial year, the organisation provided more than 103,000 nights of accommodation to Queenslanders in need.