The Department of Housing has a range of services to help Queenslanders find secure and affordable housing.

When I think of how my grandson may have turned out, I am very thankful that I have him in my care.
Grandparent carer

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT SERVICES

The Queensland Government provides various services for seniors, pensioners and grandparent carers. These include the Child Care Information Service, the Time for Grandparents program, the Queensland Seniors Card, and a range of state government concessions.
In addition, the Queensland Government Department of Housing provides services that may assist you to find secure and affordable accommodation.

Housing and Accommodation

Your financial situation and living arrangements may have changed since taking on the care of your grandchild. You may need assistance to meet your housing needs, or tenancy information and advice. A range of assistance is available through the Queensland Department of Housing.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING

The Department of Housing has a range of services to help Queenslanders to find secure and affordable housing. You may be eligible to receive housing assistance such as:

• rental housing;
• access to affordable rental properties through community organisations or local government;
• information and advice on bond loans and mortgage relief;
• home maintenance and modification advice and assistance services; or
• information from a tenant advice and advocacy service.

If you are not already a tenant of the department and you are experiencing housing need whilst caring for your grandchild, the department will assess your circumstances to determine eligibility for the various services available.

For more information, contact your nearest Department of Housing office or visit the department’s website at www.housing.qld.gov.au

Your nearest Department of Housing offices

Sunshine Coast Area Office

96 Memorial Avenue, Maroochydore Qld 4558
PO Box 99, Maroochydore Qld 4558
General enquiries: (07) 5475 9700
Maintenance enquiries: 1300 650 916 (Coolum Beach and south)
or 1300 137 687 (Peregian Beach and north)
After hours emergency maintenance: 1800 808 107
Fax: (07) 5475 9701

Wide Bay-Burnett Area Office

16 Quay Street, Bundaberg Qld 4670
PO Box 1120, Bundaberg Qld 4670
General enquiries: (07) 4131 5990
Toll free: 1800 809 835
Maintenance enquiries: 1800 633 949
After hours emergency maintenance: 1800 808 107
Fax: (07) 4131 5989
Email: clientservices@housing.qld.gov.au

Maryborough Client Service Centre

116 Lennox Street, Maryborough Qld 4650
PO Box 535, Maryborough Qld 4650
General enquiries: (07) 4121 1918
Toll free: 1800 623 242
Maintenance enquiries: 1300 137 687
After hours emergency maintenance: 1800 808 107
Fax: (07) 4121 1775
Email: clientservices@housing.qld.gov.au

RELATED SERVICES

Residential Tenancies Authority

Free information about your rights and responsibilities when renting in Queensland is available through the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA).
The RTA deals with general tenancies (renting houses and units), moveable dwelling tenancies (renting caravans or mobile homes and/or caravan sites) and residential services (renting a room in a boarding house, supported accommodation, aged rental accommodation or student accommodation).
For more information, contact the Residential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311 or visit www.rta.qld.gov.au

Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (Qld)

Information, advocacy and advice relating to a tenant’s or resident’s rights and responsibilities is available through the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (Qld). This service will be of help if you are experiencing difficulties with your tenancy or residential services. It can also provide information and referrals if you are in housing need.

Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Regional Housing Council Inc.
14 Maud Street, NAMBOUR QLD 4560
Tel: (07) 5476 0555
(Housing advice hours are Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8.30am - 12.00pm and 1.00pm - 4.00pm; Wed by appointment only)

Gympie and South Burnett

Cooloola Community Housing Association
22 Nash Street, GYMPIE QLD 4570
Tel: (07) 5482 7623
(Housing advice hours are Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9.00am – 2.00pm; Wed by appointment only)

Fraser Coast

Tenants Union Fraser Coast (Queensland)
Shop 5, 16 Torquay Road PIALBA QLD 4655
Tel: 1300 744 263
(Housing advice hours are Mon-Thu 9am – 1pm; 1.30pm – 3.30pm)

Bundaberg and surrounds

Bundaberg Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (Queensland)
254 Bourbong Street, BUNDABERG QLD 4670
Tel: (07) 4153 2957
(Housing advice hours are Mon, Tue, Thu 9.00am – 1.00pm; Fri 9.00am – 2.00pm; Wed by appointment only)

Tenants’ Union of Queensland

The Tenants’ Union of Queensland is a statewide service that provides free tenancy advice and advocacy support for tenants. The Union aims to improve conditions for all people who rent their home.
The Tenants’ Union’s statewide telephone advice service operates between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, and until 7pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Statewide advice: 1300 744 263
Tenancy publications are also available from www.tuq.org.au

The information above was provided by the Queensland Department of Housing in March 2006.