Queensland’s Church Land Gamble for Community Housing Pays Off

Community Housing Industry Association Queensland chief executive Julie Saunders said the delivery demonstrated what could be achieved through partnerships between government and the community housing sector.

“Unlocking church and charity-owned land has created new pathways for community housing delivery, providing more Queenslanders with access to safe, secure and affordable homes,” Saunders said.

The government has set a broader target of delivering 10,000 community homes on church and charity-owned land.

Housing and Public Works Minister Sam O’Connor said reforms had made it easier to unlock land and bring forward projects, including through an ongoing pathway for community housing providers to propose developments.

“Almost 70 per cent of the social and affordable homes we’re building are now being delivered in partnership with registered community housing providers,” O’Connor said.

▲ Community Housing Industry Association Queensland chief executive Julie Saunders: Unlocking church and charity-owned land has created new pathways.

Across Queensland, more than 7000 social and affordable homes are under construction or contracted for delivery, according to the government.

A total of 11,400 social and community homes have either been completed or are under way, contributing to its target of 53,500 by 2044.

The government has allocated $5.7 billion to social and community housing in what it describes as a record investment. It aims to deliver an average of 2000 social and community homes a year from 2028

O’Connor said the government was working to accelerate supply through planning reforms and partnerships with community housing providers.

Saunders said the sector had taken up opportunities created through the Queensland Community Housing Investment Pipeline.