Why housing matters
People with lived-living experience of mental ill-health and/or alcohol and other drug concerns are more likely to experience housing instability or homelessness.
Having a stable home can improve quality of life and support social inclusion. Evidence shows that people with complex needs can achieve long-term housing stability when housing is combined with the right supports.
What is supportive housing
How supportive housing works
Supportive housing combines housing, tenancy management and support services. It helps people maintain stable housing and live well in their communities.
It is an evidence-based approach for people with complex health, mental health or social support needs.
Supportive housing can be delivered through:
- purpose-built housing developments
- smaller housing sites
- individual social housing properties with tailored support.
Benefits of supportive housing
Research shows supportive housing can:
- reduce homelessness
- improve housing stability
- reduce demand on health and other government services
- support wellbeing and social inclusion.
Our More than a roof: Supportive housing position statement identifies supportive housing as a best-practice approach for reducing homelessness and housing instability for people with complex needs. It also outlines opportunities to better integrate housing, tenancy management and support services.
Future supported housing needs
Estimating need in Queensland
We funded the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) to undertake the Planning Estimates of Need for Mental Health Supported Housing in Queensland project.
The project will update estimates of the need for supported housing and psychosocial support for Queensland adults with complex mental health needs. The findings will help inform future planning and commissioning of services.
The project responds to significant changes since previous planning work, including:
- the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- changes to supported housing programs
- broader mental health and housing reforms.
What the project will deliver
The project will estimate:
- how many adults with complex mental health needs may require supported housing and psychosocial support
- the types of housing and support services needed
- the number of supported housing places required
- the workforce needed to support these services.
How the estimates are being developed
The estimates are being informed by:
- research evidence
- policy analysis
- Queensland housing and mental health data
- consultation with people with lived-living experience and sector stakeholders.
The project is guided by an Expert Advisory Group. It includes representatives from Queensland Government agencies, housing and mental health organisations, service providers and people with lived-living experience.
Informing future planning
The findings will help build a stronger evidence base for supported housing in Queensland.
This will support stable housing, wellbeing and social inclusion for people with complex mental health needs.
Stakeholder input and consultation
As part of the project, the first stakeholder workshop was held on 4 June 2026. Participants included people with lived-living experience, service providers, planners and other stakeholders.
Discussions explored:
- who needs supported housing
- barriers to finding and maintaining stable housing
- gaps in the current system
- what an effective supported housing system should look like
- practical opportunities for improvement.
Read the workshop summary report on the Planning Estimates of Need for Mental Health Supported Housing in Queensland project webpage on QCMHR’s website.
Housing reform opportunities
To identify opportunities for reform, we have worked with:
- people with lived-living experience
- housing providers
- homelessness services
- mental health and alcohol and other drug services.
Key opportunities include:
- investing in supportive housing
- improving planning through evidence and data
- strengthening leadership and cross-sector collaboration
- improving transitions between services and preventing homelessness.
Our ongoing work
We continue to work with government, community and sector partners to support people with lived-living experience and others with complex needs by:
- improving housing access
- strengthening housing stability
- reducing the impacts of homelessness.