MEDIA RELEASE
22 January 2026

Ipswich Social Housing Waitlist Blows Out under LNP

• New data shows 15.8% increase in Ipswich Social Housing waitlist
within the LNP’s first year in office.

• Wait times over 2 years on average.

Queensland’s housing affordability crisis has reached a dire peak under the Crisafulli
LNP Government with a further 10,000 people joining the social housing register in the
past year.

In Ipswich the social housing waitlist has increased by 15.8% and people on the list
are waiting longer than ever for a home.

The data also shows people are waiting longer than ever to be given help.

This lack of support for vulnerable people comes at a time when housing stress is at
an all-time high.

Rents continue to increase alongside house prices.

Data uncovered by the Queensland Labor Opposition shows 81% of renters in Ipswich
are experiencing housing stress.

Instead of building more social housing to ease pressure and reduce wait times, the
Crisafulli LNP Government has cut social housing.

All the LNP has done is make it harder for people to find a home.

Quotes attributed to Member for Bundamba, Lance McCallum MP:

“David Crisafulli made big promises around housing, his government’s own data
shows there are over 10,000 more Queenslanders waiting for social housing after in
one year under top end of town government.

“It’s not good enough that the Ipswich social housing register has grown by nearly 16
per cent, and people are waiting longer than ever for help.

“These aren’t just numbers on a government spreadsheet, they are families with
children, seniors and vulnerable people and loved members of our community, people
that the LNP have left languishing without a secure place to call home.

“Despite their promises to help, the LNP is delivering is longer wait times are cutting
social homes and its pushing more locals to the brink.

Quotes attributed to Member for Ipswich, Jennifer Howard MP:

“More Ipswich people are being pushed into homelessness while waiting longer than
ever to secure social housing.

“At the same time, the LNP is cutting affordable housing projects all over
Queensland and failing to deliver 3,000 new social homes per year to meet their
promised target of 53,500 new social homes by 2044.

“It’s deeply troubling that the LNP has now been in government for more than a year
but hasn’t announced any new social housing projects for the Ipswich electorate, yet
they’re happy to claim credit for those started and funded by the previous Labor
Government.”

Quotes attributed to Member for Ipswich West, Wendy Bourne MP:

“We live in the fastest growing region in Queensland, but it is being neglected by a
government who refuses to provide for our region.

“As the housing unaffordability crisis deepens, the LNP has left Ipswich West’s most
vulnerable out in the cold.

“In some parts of Ipswich West, not a single private renter can afford essentials once
rent is paid, this includes our nurses, teachers, police and local workers doing it
tough, and this government is actively making it tougher.”

Quotes attributed to Member for Jordan, Charis Mullen MP:

“A 15.8% surge in the Ipswich social housing wait list tells a troubling story about a
government failing to deliver on its housing promises.

“The reality is that on the LNP’s watch, wait times have blown out and our most
vulnerable are paying the price.

“Access to housing should be a basic right, not a waiting game and we need action.”

Background Information:
1462 applications waiting under the Ipswich Housing Service Centre in September
2025, up from 1263 in September 2024.

[ENDS]