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Brisbane could risk ending up with a homelessness crisis similar to that seen during the Paris Olympics unless it rapidly addresses its social housing shortage, researchers say.
The latest Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute report, released today, analysed the impact of the Olympic Games on their host's housing market and homelessness.
Not-for-profit organisation Q Shelter commissioned the report and plans to release one report per year until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Police cleared out hundreds of migrants and homeless people from Paris during this year's Olympic Games.
Jackson Hills says the Olympics can put even more stress on struggling households and vulnerable people. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Kenji Sato)
Q Shelter policy and strategic engagement manager Jackson Hills said previous Olympics had led to rent hikes and worsened homelessness.
"We are worried that history could repeat itself, so we need to learn those lessons," he said.
"Clearly there are major economic benefits to hosting these events, but often what's overlooked is the impact on low-income households and displacement in communities."
Long housing waitlist
The report found Queensland's current social housing construction rate was failing to keep up with the state's population growth.
As of June 2024 there were 45,987 people on Queensland's social housing waiting list, which was a 55 per cent increase from 2017.
Since then, wait times have nearly doubled and the average applicant faces a 27-month wait before being granted a home.
The report also found the Olympics mostly worsened affordability in the private sector, with the exceptions of the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 1976 Montreal Games.
Research from real estate agency PRD also showed that previous Olympics have caused huge spikes in house prices, particularly within a 10-kilometre radius of stadiums.
Diaswati Mardiasmo says the Olympics can be a lure for investors. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Kenji Sato)
PRD chief economist Diaswati Mardiasmo found an average price spike of 14.3 per cent in the 12 months following an Olympics.
The 2032 Olympics Committee member said this was likely due to increased population, infrastructure spending and the sudden media focus on those suburbs.
"We've found that regardless of whether it's an Olympics in an Australian city or Europe or America, it's consistent throughout the world," Dr Mardiasmo said.
"There is a history of house prices and other property types increasing in those areas."
Fiona Caniglia says Brisbane is not building social houses fast enough to meet its 2032 population projections. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Kenji Sato)
'Incredible opportunity'
Q Shelter chief executive Fiona Caniglia said a failure to plan for 2032 would have dire consequences.
But she said there were a few rare examples of cities using the Olympics to boost social housing stocks, including after the 1956 Melbourne Games, when 600 homes in the former athletes' village were turned into public housing.
"We have an incredible opportunity to position Brisbane and Queensland as the first Olympic and Paralympic host that has ended and not worsened homelessness," Ms Caniglia said.
"Without proper planning Queensland runs the risk of escalation in housing costs and rents, risking pushing more households towards housing insecurity and homelessness."
Meaghan Scanlon says $1 billion worth of social housing is under construction or contracted. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Kenji Sato)
Queensland housing minister Meaghan Scanlon said the government planned to build more social housing.
"Homes for Queenslanders is our clear plan to build one million homes, including 53,500 social homes by 2046," she said.
"It builds on the more than 5,000 already delivered by the government since 2015, with more than 75,000 social homes currently in Queensland."