REAL STATE - Thousands of additional homes coming

Following the success of Round One and overwhelming interest by Councils and industry, Round Two of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund will be doubled from $500 million to $1 billion.

It is now the second time RAF funding has been doubled to cater to the demand for enabling infrastructure as well as the homes it delivers. The initiative is a key part of the Crisafulli Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan to deliver one million new homes by 2044.

The Crisafulli Government received even more submissions for Round Two – 209 submissions, with 73 in South East Queensland and 136 from regional, rural and remote Queensland.

The Residential Activation Fund helps ensure essential infrastructure like water, sewerage, roads and power is in place, unlocking more land to support growing communities.

Round Two continues to ensure regional Queensland benefits, with at least half of the funding to be allocated to projects in rural and regional Queensland.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering on the fresh start that was promised, with a better plan for Queensland’s future.

“By fast-tracking the funding, we can get the critical infrastructure in place sooner, ensuring more Queensland families can have a place to call home no matter where they live.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the overwhelming response to the Residential

Activation Fund underscored its critical role.

“We’re literally building momentum. Homes are already out of ground and keys are being handed over thanks to the Residential Activation Fund, which is delivering new housing supply, fast,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.

“Availability equals affordability and by ensuring supply is unlocked, while also delivering a record number of social and affordable homes and support for first homebuyers, we’re delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders.”

The Crisafulli Government’s has a range of initiatives to help more Queenslanders find a place to call home, including more than $2 billion in joint Federal and State funding to unlock 51,000 homes, including 20,000 for first home buyers; releasing underutilised State land for housing under the landmark Land Activation Program; supporting first home buyers by removing stamp duty on new builds; introducing a nation-leading Boost to Buy shared equity scheme to help reduce the deposit gap, and increasing rental availability by lifting subletting restrictions.