Community housing providers can now propose developments anytime, with the Queensland Government dropping the current time-limited grant program process.
State Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said the Government was implementing a new “always-open” community housing procurement process.
Minister O’Connor said the Queensland Community Housing Investment Pipeline (Q-CHIP) was a first for the State, supported by funding of $5.6 billion secured in the 2025-26 Budget, along with ongoing baseline funding of $500 million per year locked in from 2029-30 ongoing.
“For the first time we’re open for business all year round, so providers can bring forward projects at any time – not just during time-limited grant program rounds,” he said.
Minister O’Connor said Queensland had the lowest percentage of community housing stock of any Australian state, at 16 percent, compared to Tasmania at 65 percent or New South Wales at 34 percent.
He announced the opening of the Q-CHIP at a sod turn marking the start of construction of 44 homes at Waterford West.
“These are the first of 255 new social and affordable homes being delivered across southern Queensland in partnership with Community Housing Queensland Limited.
“Construction will commence on the remaining mix of one and two-bedroom detached homes, duplexes and townhouses in Park Ridge, Marsden, Woodridge, Miles, Chinchilla and Roma by the end of the year.”
Minister O’Connor said CHQL was one of more than 30 registered community housing providers the Queensland Government was working with to boost housing supply across the State.
“Everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and community providers like CHQL are essential partners to reaching our target of 53,500 social and community homes by 2044,’’ he said.
“We’re calling for projects and are ready to receive submissions to deliver much needed homes for vulnerable Queenslanders.
“The new process will drive competition to deliver better outcomes for community housing. Housing providers will be able to have pre-lodgement discussions with our teams to tailor and target their proposed projects.”
Community Housing Industry Association CEO Julie Saunders said community housing providers were the backbone of delivering safe and affordable homes.
“Our sector welcomes the launch of Q-CHIP, which will allow us to work alongside government to bring forward more projects, more quickly, for Queenslanders who need them most,” Ms Saunders said.
CHQL state manager Carly Bairstow said creating stable, affordable homes helped people and communities thrive.
“These projects are about so much more than bricks and mortar. They will give older Queenslanders, families and people waiting on the housing register the security of having a place to truly call home,” Ms Bairstow said.
