Building on our report ‘A blueprint to tackle Queensland’s housing crisis’, as researched in 2022, Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) has commissioned City Futures to undertake a follow-up study. This will update our 2022 housing needs and housing affordability assessment, as well as analysing policy developments rolled out during 2023.

Like its predecessor study, the project will contribute policy options for tackling Queensland’s identified housing and homelessness policy challenges. The main focus of the study is the provision of adequate and affordable housing for low-income households. Specifically, the research is to:

• Analyse recent change in the Queensland housing market, and in the economic factors that affect the need for social and affordable housing
• Identify and assess housing policy reforms and initiatives introduced by the Queensland Government and the Commonwealth Government (relevant to Queensland)
• Identify aspects of housing and homelessness policy where there is further scope for reforms and initiatives to address unmet homelessness and housing need.

The study involves stakeholder interviews, secondary data and policy document analysis. In particular, it draws on unpublished rental bond data kindly provided by the Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority that informs an original analysis of rental affordability for low income earners at both state and local levels.

While it is Queensland Government housing policy that forms the main area of investigation, the recommendations also encompass proposed reforms involving policy levers held by the Commonwealth. It will also focus on the actual and potential contribution of local government in addressing homelessness and housing stress in Queensland.

For further information about the project, please contact Prof Hal Pawson.