Housing Crisis: Qld Govt Plans Inner-City Hotel Conversion

The Queensland government has bought a Brisbane hotel and will convert it into accommodation for people at risk of homelessness.

It has been reported the government paid $5.3 million for the unnamed 23-key inner-city property, and said it would provide a safe place to stay for small families, the government said.

Money from its $64.3-million emergency accommodation fund were used for the deal.

Similar measures have been adopted by the WA government, which acquired West Perth’s Murray Hotel for more than $5 million and will similarly redevelop that 30-room property.

In 2021-22, almost 200,000 forms of housing assistance were provided to Queenslanders, including emergency housing, social housing, and private market assistance and homelessness services.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government was looking for solutions in the short, medium and long term. 

“The newly acquired property will provide a safe space for many, including those experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic and family violence,” Palaszczuk said.

 “This purchase is a significant step forward in our government’s plan to tackle homelessness and housing stress.

 “This purchase is a significant step forward in our government’s plan to tackle homelessness and housing stress.

“We know there are national pressures in the housing sector that are putting strain on vulnerable Queenslanders, which is why we are continuing to pull every lever available.”

The state government also recently repurposed a former retirement village in Clayfield for social housing.

The first residents moved into the 37 units, to be managed by Bric Housing in partnership with Communify Queensland Ltd.

Retirement villages in Toowoomba and Redland Bay are also to be turned into social housing under a $14-million spend.