Housing help after a disaster
Queensland natural disasters
Financial assistance is available for eligible residents affected by natural disasters. Check whether you’re eligible.
Finding temporary accommodation
If you need help finding temporary accommodation:
- call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- call 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
- visit your nearest Housing Service Centre.
Applying for financial assistance
Mortgage relief loans are interest-free loans of up to $20,000. These can help you meet your home loan repayments while dealing with an unexpected change in circumstances, such as the costs associated with storm damage.
If you need to move into private rental accommodation and need help paying the rental bond, you may be eligible for a bond loan. This is an interest-free loan to a maximum value of 4 weeks’ rent for the accommodation.
A rental grant can help you meet the costs of moving into private rental accommodation if you are experiencing a crisis. If you are eligible, the rental grant is equivalent to 2 weeks rent and is paid directly to the landlord or agent.
Other types of financial assistance and grants may be available after a disaster.
Repairing your home
Search the register for available QBCC licensed contractors to help with repairs.
If you are over 60 years of age or have a disability, Home Assist Secure can provide subsidised assistance for minor repairs, maintenance and modifications related to health, safety and security.
More advice for cleaning up after a disaster:
- Returning to affected buildings
- Managing asbestos
- Making an insurance claim
- Reporting electricity and water faults
- Cleaning up a smoke affected home after a fire
- Returning home safely after a fire
Help with housing
RentConnect officers can help you:
- prepare an application and apply for private rental properties
- find suitable properties
- make referrals
- help you sustain a tenancy in the private market.
Social housing is affordable rental housing for families and individuals with a high level of housing need that can’t be met by housing in the private market.
Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to apply for housing assistance. Demand for social housing is always high when a disaster has been declared and we may not be able to provide housing immediately.
Natural disasters support for tenants and property managers
The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) provides information and step-by-step guides to help Queensland tenants, property managers and owners in the event of a natural disaster.
Visit the RTA’s natural disasters page for support if floods, cyclones, severe storms, bushfires or other natural disasters have caused major damage to a rental property.