The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) has called for more detail regarding the state government’s new five-step housing strategy.
In Logan, the government’s plan will see more social housing, rental reform and funding to the city’s homeless services.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella praised the “overarching principles of the plan”, but said it lacked detail and was “unclear” in its goals.
“… we’re calling the government to reveal the detail – the roadmap that will take us from here to there, because we’re struggling to understand how it will be different from past targets that have fallen short,” she said.
“Yes, we want to be ‘ambitious’, we want to remain hopeful, but without the ‘how’ it’s hard to see these targets being hit.”
Ms Mercorella said the REIQ welcomed the announcements relating to the renters’ relief package, additional staff support, additional funding for homelessness services, the independent sector review and the youth foyers.
“It’s clear that the number of people using homelessness services has grown, so further support is absolutely warranted,” Ms Mercorella said.
“But this will only act as a Band-Aid, and ultimately, we need to solve the problem that is causing more and more people to go to these providers in the first place.”
She said there were missed opportunities in the plan that the REIQ see as being imperative to the multi-faceted solution.
“To really enact change on-the-ground, what’s missing from this plan is addressing the tax environment, the cost of construction and productivity, and support for apprenticeships and skills in Queensland,” Ms Mercorella said.
“We also think the first homeowner support pillar is missing a trick or two – there seems to be a focus on helping people in the rental sphere, but it concerns us that there is no focus on creating pathways to home ownership.
“Queensland has the lowest home ownership rates in Australia, and a concerted focus to turn this around by assisting those who want to transition into owning their own home would have widespread benefits.”
Ms Mercorella said incentives were a great way to spur on housing development, and the REIQ would like to see this to have an ongoing funding allocation.
