Good Samaritan Rental Initiative: Calling for expressions of interest

The REIQ, Queensland Government and community sector stakeholders have come together to shape the Good Samaritan Rental Initiative. This initiative provides a timely opportunity for landlords to support a community response to keep women and their children safe.

Already disadvantaged groups in our communities are facing increased pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic - many people are in unsafe situations, experiencing housing stress and fearful for the future. This is especially true for women and their children who are more vulnerable to domestic and family violence (DFV) as a result of the pandemic, isolated at home with perpetrators and at increased risk of exposure to violence and abuse.

With growing community awareness of DFV since the Not Now, Not Ever report was released in 2015, Queenslanders have increasingly expressed an interest in contributing to efforts to support people experiencing violence and abuse. We know there's plenty of goodwill, with landlords and agents open to lending a helping hand to vulnerable people in our communities.

This is why we are reaching out for your support. Safe, good quality and affordable housing is critical in helping those whose lives have been disrupted by violence and abuse on the road to recovery. This is your chance to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of women and children, including those impacted by DFV.

What you need to know:

• We hope to connect with landlords (or property managers acting on their behalf) keen to explore this opportunity.
• The project will involve specialist support services to help match families with suitable properties and provide support to make sure women and families accommodated stay safe and well.
• Planning is underway to consider practical aspects of implementation (e.g. safety and security measures). There is also opportunity to work closely with Community Housing Providers who are well placed to manage under a head lease arrangement.
• Rents would need to be affordable, recognising that those in need of accommodation are just starting to get back on their feet. However this can vary across locations and we are keen to find out what landlords would be willing to offer.
• Depending on the length of stay, support services will work with families to access other longer-term housing options where needed. If the arrangement works well for all parties, there may be opportunities to take on long-term tenancies through this initiative.

If you currently have a landlord with a vacant rental property or holiday let and have an interest in exploring this opportunity, please take a few minutes to submit an expression of interest through following the link (click here). Expressions of interest close at 5pm, Friday 19 June 2020.

Any information provided will be securely stored and only used to gauge the level of interest in this initiative and guide planning and implementation. After submitting your expression of interest, a project officer may be in contact in the near future to follow up and discuss the initiative further.

The REIQ sincerely thanks you for your interest and commitment - all of us have a role to play in ending domestic and family violence.

Visit our article on real estate news to explore more information.

Visit our article on real estate news to explore more information.