- Queensland Rail has offered up two of its unused properties to support older women needing housing assistance.
- The two properties at Acacia Ridge will become affordable housing.
- Queensland Rail is working with Housing All Australians and Churches of Christ Housing Services Limited to deliver this project.
- Queensland Rail is also exploring 10 additional sites throughout the state that could be repurposed for affordable housing.
Queensland Rail is supporting people in need of safe, secure housing by transforming two unused properties into affordable homes.
In partnership with Housing All Australians (HAA) and Churches of Christ Housing Services Limited (CCHSL), Queensland Rail will convert two former crew-quarters in Acacia Ridge into housing for up to 14 older women.
The refurbishment, led by HAA, will ensure the properties are fit for purpose, while CCHSL will manage the properties and allocate tenants once the works are completed.
The project is already in motion, with a planned start on renovations later this year.
Queensland Rail is also exploring 10 additional sites throughout the state, including a property at Lota, that could be utilised for affordable housing.
As stated by Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg:
"It has never been more difficult to find or keep a roof over your head as it is right now in Queensland.
"Our plan is to deliver housing solutions quickly and I commend these three organisations for coming together to unlock existing dwellings to give people a home.
"This project is more than just accommodation - a safe place to call home can change lives, particularly for vulnerable women who may be escaping domestic violence."
As stated by Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton:
"Everyone deserves a safe place to live but sadly a lack of affordable housing and homelessness is a real issue affecting many Queenslanders currently.
"We're proud to work with Housing All Australians and Churches of Christ Housing Services to give unused buildings a new purpose that will provide relief to people struggling to find a safe place to live.
"At Queensland Rail we're all about connecting communities, and we're excited to be able to help connect Queenslanders with a home.
"We look forward to welcoming new occupants into our former crew-quarters."
As stated by Housing All Australians Queensland State Management Chair Mike Myers:
"Housing All Australians is galvanising a national movement of businesses that want to contribute their skills, products and services, pro bono, to help those in need.
"After undertaking similar projects in Melbourne, Perth and Hobart, this is our first project in Queensland, and we are proud to work with our first government partner, Queensland Rail and Churches of Christ to show what is possible through true collaboration.
"HAA calls on other businesses that have a skill, product or service that they are willing to offer pro bono to help refurbish these empty buildings and join the growing group of 'compassionate capitalists' that care about those more vulnerable in our community.
"To have buildings sitting empty when Queensland is in a housing crisis is unacceptable and we applaud Queensland Rail for being proactive.
"We must sweat our existing and already built infrastructure as temporary housing, while we build the additional housing our country needs.
"Australia's housing crisis is too big for government to solve alone. It is a problem facing the entire community and that includes business."
As stated by Churches of Christ Housing Services General Manager Gus Taddeo:
"It's an honour to partner with Queensland Rail and Housing for All Australians on this project.
"It really is heartening that Queensland Rail have identified existing, unused assets to help address the housing needs of the fastest growing group affected by homelessness; women over 50.
"We hope this partnership inspires other organisations to consider how they can directly alleviate the pressures of Queensland's growing housing and cost-of-living crisis on vulnerable people.
"Homelessness is a complex issue that requires multifaceted solutions, but with a shared commitment across sectors, we can make a meaningful difference."
