Housing Resources

Public or social housing is long-term, government-managed housing, available to provide stability to vulnerable people who aren’t able to access and sustain housing in the private market.

You must meet all of the eligibility criteria to receive social housing.

1. Queensland Residency – you must be a resident of Queensland

2. Citizenship Status – you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency in Australia

3. Property Ownership – not own or part-own any type of property in Australia or overseas

4. Assets – when added together, the liquid assets owned by you and all the people listed on your application must not equal more than the limits set out by the Department of Housing. Find out more about these limits here:

5. Wellbeing – how your current housing situation affects your wellbeing to make sure people with more urgent and complex needs are offered housing assistance.

To be eligible, you must have:

a reason to need to move
at least two complex wellbeing needs (non-financial)
one financial need.

6. Household Income – be eligible for public and community housing, your household’s total gross weekly assessable income must be less than the income limits, based on the number of people in your household. Please refer to the Department of Housing website for most recent income limits.

To start the application process, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to make an appointment to discuss your housing needs.

If an appointment isn’t convenient for you, you can complete an Application for housing assistance (PDF, 712KB) and send it to the Housing Service Centre.

All eligible applicants are listed on a housing register, which is managed by the Queensland Government. Applicants are matched based on an assessment of their housing need.

Our staff can support you to do this and to navigate the social housing system.

RentConnect is a service offered by the Department Communities, Housing and Digital Economy. It helps people find and apply for a place to rent.

This service may help you if you are struggling to access the private rental market due to non-financial barriers, such as:

• limited rental history
• a lack of skills, knowledge or understanding of how the private rental market works
• a lack of documents required for private rental applications.

RentConnect provides a range of information and practical assistance to help you overcome these barriers.

Our staff can support you to attend a Rent Connect appointment, complete paperwork, and advocate on your behalf.

There is one application process for both community housing and public housing.

To start the application process, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to make an appointment to discuss your housing needs.

If an appointment isn’t convenient for you, you can complete an Application for housing assistance (PDF, 712KB) and send it to the Housing Service Centre.

All eligible applicants are listed on a housing register, which is managed by the Queensland Government. Applicants are matched based on an assessment of their housing need.

Our staff can support you to do this and to navigate the social housing system.

Residential services (boarding houses and hostels for seniors and aged rental accommodation)

Residential service facilities, such as private boarding houses and hostels for seniors and aged rental accommodation, provide rental accommodation and, in some cases, personal care to older people and people with disabilities.

They may also provide special services, such as meals, linen, cleaning, assistance with medication, showering and finances, for a contracted weekly payment.

Residential service facilities are regulated by the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002. They are privately operated and do not receive government funding.

Retirement villages

This housing option is where a community of seniors live in independent living units or serviced units and share common facilities and amenities.

They cater for retirees and older members of the community who can live independently. In some villages, personal care and support services can be purchased for a fee.

Retirement villages may be owned by:

• commercial operators
• charitable, religious or ethnic not-for-profit organisations.

They don’t receive government funding.

View a list of below:

LIST OF REGISTERED RETIREMENT VILLAGES

COMPARE RETIREMENT VILLAGES

Residential aged care facilities

Residential aged care facilities (formerly known as nursing homes) differ from retirement villages, in that they provide various levels of supportive care, and are administered and operated under the Commonwealth Aged Care Act 1997. An aged care assessment is required for entry to these facilities.

RealEstate.com.au and domain.com.au are websites listing properties available for rent (and buy). You can personalise your search to suit your needs (areas, price, type, pet friendly ect)

Qld Housing can support eligible tenants accessing private housing with bond loans and rental grants to help you when entering.

Rent Assistance might be available to help with rental costs if you receive certain payments from Centrelink/Services Australia.

The Rental Tenancies Authorities (RTA) can assist tenants with information about renting privately.

QSTARS is a free independent advice and referral service for all Queensland renters. Phone the statewide advice number 1300 744 263

There are different ways of co-housing for example Sharing with Friendsand general share housing.

Our staff can assist you to find out more information.

The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) 1300 366 311, looks after the laws which protect the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords/agents.

You can contact the RTA about issues such as:

• bond lodgements and refunds
• paying for utilities as a renter
• rent payments
• ending a tenancy
• reporting repair concerns
• tenancy disputes
• changes in your lease circumstances and more

Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) can provide you with information on your rights and responsibilities 1300 744 263. Face-to-face appointments with QSTARS are available at the Hub, we can also support you to attend a virtual meeting where required. Contact us and we can organize an appointment for you.

The Queensland Government also has information available on their website. Our staff can support you and link you to services to further understand your rights. https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/renting