ASPIRING first home buyers and housing providers across the Redlands and Bayside are being urged to have their say as state and federal representatives step up efforts to tackle housing affordability and supply.
Member for Redlands and Assistant Minister for Planning, Housing and Better Regulation Rebecca Young will host a State “What Matters to First Home Buyers” forum from 2–4pm on Sunday, March 22 at the Redland Bay Golf Club.
The community event is designed to give locals the opportunity to outline the barriers they face entering the housing market, including affordability pressures, saving for a deposit, supply constraints and planning delays.
Mrs Young said sitting down with Redlands aspiring first home buyers was crucial to understanding what support was available to them, and what barriers they face.
“As new housing supply, including affordable homes within the Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area, is set to come online in the Redlands, I want our local first home buyers to be ready to hit go,” she said.
“We are working hard to keep the dream of home ownership alive for Queenslanders, but we know there is more to do.
“Our focus remains on increasing housing supply and expanding pathways into ownership.
“That includes abolishing stamp duty for first home buyers, extending the First Home Owner Grant, and delivering the Boost to Buy shared equity scheme, all practical measures designed to assist Queenslanders who may otherwise struggle to enter the market.”
She said the upcoming forum would play a direct role in shaping future initiatives.
“The feedback gathered will help shape a broader Home Buyers Fair planned for mid-year, ensuring it addresses real, practical concerns raised by constituents,” she said.
At a federal level, Member for Bonner Kara Cook last week hosted Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities Clare O’Neil for a Housing and Homelessness Ministerial Roundtable bringing together representatives from 19 organisations across the electorate.
The meeting included housing providers, builders, crisis support organisations and not-for-profits working in the housing space, with discussions centred on increasing supply and improving housing security.
Central to the talks was the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), the Albanese Labor Government’s flagship program aimed at building 1.2 million homes over five years, including 55,000 new social and affordable dwellings.
Round three of the HAFF — the largest to date — is expected to deliver more than 21,000 new social and affordable homes, with many Bonner-based organisations preparing applications.
Ms Cook said local expertise was critical to shaping effective housing policy.
“As Federal Member, I want our government to hear directly about the progress we are making and the challenges that we face locally,” she said.
“For government to improve housing and housing security our government needs to listen to those on the frontline.
“That is why the Minister and I held this roundtable, to hear firsthand how we can partner with the sector and unlock housing – especially for those most vulnerable and those seeking to buy their first home in our community.”
Locals interested in attending Mrs Young’s March 22 forum are encouraged to RSVP via her website.
