New analysis from Queensland’s peak body for the community sector shows there are 45,958 people on Queensland’s social housing register. 26,286, 90.8 per cent of all applications, have been assessed as having a ‘very high’ need. This represents an increase of 152 per cent from 2017.

7,294 households were added to the register since last year’s update, with every new household added being assessed as having a ‘very high’ need.

The number of households on the register, 27,437, is 75 per cent higher than in 2017.

“Queensland is in a housing crisis,” said QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh.

“We are seeing sustained demand and the current plan to address the crisis is not fit for purpose.

“That’s why we welcomed the announcement of the Housing Summit.

“The Summit must ensure more social and affordable homes are built as soon as possible. On average, Queenslanders in need of social housing are waiting 28 months to be housed, no different to last year.

“We have record low vacancy rates, the highest population growth rate of all states and territories, our services are handing out tents and swags and people are sleeping with their children in their cars.”

Commenting on today’s announcement from the Deputy Premier that planning regulations will be amended to allow granny flats to be rented out, McVeigh said it was good to see that the government is willing to take immediate action to address the housing crisis.

“While today’s announcement could result in a good housing option for some people, it’s not clear how it will impact vacancy rates and it is unlikely to provide solutions for people waiting on the social housing register.”

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The number of households on the register has remained the same between 2021 and 2022.

However, some LGAs like Toowoomba (+25 per cent) and Rockhampton (+8 per cent), witnessed an increase in the number of households waiting for social housing, while others like Brisbane City (-9.8 per cent) and Gold Coast City (-14 per cent) saw the number of households on the register decrease.

Click here to access further regional analysis of the social housing register by QCOSS.