- First families move into 60 self-contained units in South Brisbane purchased through Miles Government's Housing Investment Fund
- Former hotel has been turned into social housing units for families in need
- Part of Homes for Queenslanders plan to deliver 53,500 more social homes
The first families have begun moving into the former Menso Hotel, which has been transformed into more Homes for Queenslanders.
The Miles Government has purchased the South Brisbane hotel through its Housing Investment Fund and upgraded the rooms to become social housing units for small families and single women, with a focus on older women and expectant mothers.
As part of the upgrade, the former hotel has been transformed into 60 self-contained social housing units including 12 two-bedroom units and 48 studio units.
The Menso Hotel is the third inner city hotel purchased by the government to provide housing for people in need.
It comes as the government released its latest housing register data for the last quarter showing 1,245 households were allocated housing, but continued demand for housing with 394 more applications.
The government has also purchased or leased vacant former retirement villages and aged care facilities in Clayfield, Toowoomba, Redlands, Rothwell and Tanah Merah, delivering hundreds of homes for people in need.
These homes form part of the Queensland Government's target of 53,500 homes by 2046 as part of the Homes for Queenslanders plan.
As stated by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works Meaghan Scanlon:
"Our Homes for Queenslanders plan is pulling every lever possible, whether that's buying former retirement villages, accommodation parks and hotels; building modular homes and supporting the Federal Government's Help to Buy shared equity scheme.
"The LNP have made it clear they will not use the Housing Investment Fund to purchase underutilised homes, which means they don't support projects like this.
"Instead of supporting more homes through initiatives like this, the LNP are too busy blocking 8,000 Queenslanders from buying their own home by blocking Help to Buy legislation."
Quotes attribute to St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland CEO Kevin Mercer:
"We are proud to partner with the State Government on this important project to deliver 60 units of integrated social housing and support services on Cordelia Street, providing a range of safe housing for small families, single women, and expectant mothers," he said.
"This development will significantly impact the lives of those experiencing or at risk of homelessness by offering stable housing and wrap-around essential support services.
"St Vincent de Paul Society, housing and support staff will be located onsite, along with overnight security, ensuring the South Brisbane property serves as a safe place of hope and comfort for those most at risk in our community.
"We look forward to welcoming our first families and individuals to Cordelia St."
