Briefing Note: Housing Support and Budget Allocations for Women over 50 years

This briefing note summarises key funding allocations and relevant commitments in the 2025–26 Queensland State Budget. It uses the Service Delivery Statements for the Department of Housing and Public Works and Women’s Economic Security Statement and the budget Statement for the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety as these relate to support for women’s wellbeing. We have included initiatives related to housing and homelessness. We do this with an assumption that those listed will also enable women 50+ years access to them.

We also wish to congratulate the Qld Government on these important initiatives and appreciate the ongoing support for specific initiatives that address women’s needs. We also want to send a message that we are keen to collaborate where possible to ensure that all women in Queensland have access to an affordable, amenable, sustainable home enabling us to age in our families, neighbourhoods and communities.

The information below may be used to inform advocacy efforts, stakeholder engagement, and government relations. See our Call to Action Page 2

Key Budget Allocations and Commitments

Housing Investment Pipeline

$1.967 billion over 4 years, with $500 million per annum ongoing. Aims to deliver 53,500 social and community homes by 2044, including youth foyers, domestic violence shelters, and social housing in remote and discrete First Nations communities.

Crisis Accommodation and Frontline Services

$152.6 million in 2025–26 (part of $380.1 million over 5 years) to deliver crisis accommodation and frontline housing and homelessness support.

Specialist Homelessness Services

$52.2 million in 2025–26 (as part of $208.9 million over 4 years) to maintain a 20% uplift in funding for specialist homelessness services. Ensures continued service provision to vulnerable Queenslanders, including women and families.

Support for Peak Bodies

$3.1 million in 2025–26 for housing and homelessness peak and industry bodies. Q Shelter is likely a recipient under this allocation.

Community Housing Sector and Regulatory Support

$1.8 million in 2025–26 to support effective regulatory action and strengthen the capacity of community housing providers, disability accommodation, retirement villages and residential services.

Capital Investment in Social and First Nations Housing

$613.1 million to deliver and upgrade social housing; $121.8 million for First Nations housing; $144 million for government employee housing.

Strategic Commitments Relevant to Women and Housing

• Delivery of a cross-portfolio housing plan to secure Queensland’s housing foundations.
• Support for sustainable growth in the community housing sector through new Master Agreements and asset expansion.
• Continued support for women and families experiencing domestic and family violence, including through supportive and crisis accommodation.
• Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to improve access to appropriate and sustainable housing.
• Delivery of housing and homelessness services that enable social and economic participation.

Housing Older Women Movement – Call to Action

The Housing Older Women Movement advocates for housing solutions that recognise the distinct needs, voices, and contributions of women aged 50 and over. The following recommendations highlight the critical actions needed to ensure that housing policy and investment are inclusive and effective for older women.

Our Call to Action

• Engage women over 50yrs in the initiatives related to shared equity models of home ownership.
• Involve older women in co-designing innovative community-led housing developments.
• Ensure future funding reflects the specific needs of women aged 50+ by ensuring and resourcing effective collaboration and engagement of women 50+yrs.