Cairns Housing Updates

Welcome to the Housing Update Page

Housing is one of the biggest pressures facing families across Far North Queensland.

This page is dedicated to keeping our community informed about what is being done to increase housing supply, support renters, help first home buyers and address homelessness. I am committed to working with the Queensland Government, local councils, community housing providers and residents to ensure Cairns gets its fair share.

We are partnering with Cairns Regional Council, builders, developers and community organisations to remove barriers, unlock land and deliver housing that suits local needs.

The demand for social housing across Queensland is significant, and it is something this Government is taking seriously.

Right now, more than 52,000 Queenslanders are on the social housing waitlist. Behind that number are families, seniors, people with disability and individuals who need stable housing to rebuild their lives.

Addressing this challenge means increasing supply, not just managing waiting lists.

Updates across Far North Queensland

Expanding Cairns Housing Manufacturing to Deliver More Homes Faster

The expansion of QBuild’s housing manufacturing facility in Cairns will help deliver more homes across Far North Queensland, with production set to increase by 40 per cent from July 2026. By using modern modular construction methods, homes can be built more efficiently and delivered faster to regional and remote communities. The expansion will also support local jobs, create apprenticeship opportunities and help address housing shortages across the region.

Boost to Buy Helping More Queenslanders Into Home Ownership

The second round of the Boost to Buy program is now open, helping more Queenslanders overcome the challenge of saving a large home deposit. Through a shared equity model, eligible buyers can purchase a home with a smaller deposit while reducing the size of their mortgage. The program is providing practical support for first home buyers and essential workers looking to achieve home ownership sooner.

Read more: Boost 2 Buy Round 2 Now Open

Supporting Young People Through the Youth Foyer Project

The Youth Foyer project will provide safe and supported accommodation for young people who are at risk of homelessness while helping them stay connected to education and employment opportunities. The initiative combines housing with mentoring, training and support services to create positive pathways for young people. By investing in early intervention, the project aims to improve long-term housing outcomes and build stronger communities.

Read more: Cairns Youth Foyer Breaks Ground

Planning for Future Housing Growth

Major planning initiatives, including the Mount Peter Priority Development Area, are helping unlock future housing supply across the Cairns region. Investment in enabling infrastructure and strategic land development will support the delivery of thousands of new homes over the coming years. These projects are ensuring Cairns is well positioned to meet future population growth while maintaining housing affordability and liveability.

Unlocking Land to Build More Homes

The Crisafulli Government’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund is unlocking land and infrastructure needed to deliver new housing faster.

This fund has already helped unlock capacity for around 90,000 new homes across Queensland, including opportunities for social, affordable and private housing — ensuring communities like Cairns are not left behind. This includes 190 new homes in Far North Queensland.

Delivering More Social and Community Homes

Under the Crisafulli Government, 5,932 social and community homes are now under contract or in construction across Queensland.

This includes new builds and redevelopments delivered in partnership with community housing providers, designed to provide safe, secure and long-term housing for those who need it most.

30 New Homes, 30 New Beginnings in Earlville

A major milestone has been reached in Cairns with the official opening of 30 new social homes in Earlville, delivered in partnership between the Queensland Government and Access Community Housing Company.

These homes including one‑ and two‑bedroom dwellings built to high accessibility standards provide safe, secure and inclusive places to live for 30 Queensland households who need them most. This development forms part of the Government’s long‑term commitment to deliver tens of thousands of additional social and community homes across the state, backed by one of the largest investments in housing in Queensland’s history.

Woree: Australia’s Largest Modular Housing Project

In Cairns, the Woree housing project is delivering a major boost to social and community housing supply, with hundreds of homes under construction as part of the Crisafulli Government’s housing investment. This project will provide hundreds of social, affordable and specialist disability homes designed to support seniors and people living with disability, freeing up larger homes for families and offering modern, accessible places to live. It is part of a broader pipeline of social homes now moving forward across Far North Queensland.

Yorkeys Knob: New Social Homes in the Northern Beaches

New social and affordable housing projects are currently underway in Yorkeys Knob, Cairns, with construction kicking off on 14 new social homes in late 2025 by H.C Building & Construction.

These initiatives aim to address high demand, with additional developments including specialized, accessible SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) units by MiHaven Care and a 18-apartment project, part of a $1 billion state government commitment.

Ongoing Updates

This page will continue to be updated as new housing projects, funding announcements and policy changes roll out, particularly those that impact Cairns and the Far North.

I will continue to advocate strongly for our region to ensure housing policy delivers real outcomes on the ground.