Approval granted for the 500th Community Housing Development

This project, the 500th commencement through QuickStarts Qld, was enabled by Council’s commitment to provide underutilised Council owned land and will be delivered through a funding partnership with Regional Housing Limited (RHL) and the Queensland Government through the Queensland Housing Investment Growth Initiative, QuickStarts Qld.

Three new 2-bedroom housing units will be created by this development in Kingaroy, providing safe and secure homes for families in need.

Mayor Brett Otto said “Social housing is important for all communities and our post -COVID population spike has increased demand for housing, including for social housing. We are pleased to have formed a solid working relationship with the Bundaberg based registered housing provider, Regional Housing Australia Limited. Our partnership is now providing real housing solutions and we look forward to further positive community outcomes in coming months.”

Regional Development Portfolio Holder, Cr Kirstie Schumacher said many residents in our region are struggling with the rising costs of living and rental affordability.

 “We have seen many families impacted by the increasing risk of homelessness and know there are many cases of residents overcrowding in the few rental stocks available,” she said.

“The Housing and Homelessness Forum demonstrated the housing crisis is a complex and challenging issue to address. The construction of these units is an important step in the right direction for the community, and even more important for those individuals and households that will live there,” Cr Schumacher said.

This project is in addition to the previously announced 2 Unit Social Housing development also being delivered in Kingaroy through the same partnership and funding arrangement.

“The units will be designed and built to complement the existing neighbourhood, with RHL providing management and a range of supports to help ensure positive social outcomes,” Cr Schumacher said.

“Our partnership was formed with the vision to create more ‘bricks and mortar’ outcomes, and we are thrilled that the State Government has supported another one of the projects. The partnership with RHL means sustainable tenancy outcomes for local people who will benefit from the construction of these homes,” she said.

"We know there are people in need in our community and by working together with RHL and State Government this is just one more step in our shared vision to ensure every person has a right to a home,” Cr Schumacher said.

Artist’s impression of the proposed development