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Housing
We are Queensland's second largest provider of social housing
Service Overview
We manage and deliver housing services to 14 of our 15 communities. Council acknowledges that housing is more than just a place to live - it is the heart of community life, cultural continuity and social well-being. Homes are where traditions are passed down, families gather and connections to land and sea are maintained.
- Council managed social houses across 14 communities
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787
- Current number of Responsive Maintenance jobs
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1
- Current Applications on wait list
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265
Housing Allocation
Housing is primarily allocated based on specific needs, including health conditions, disabilities, overcrowding, and homelessness. While we strive to process all housing applications as quickly as possible, there are certain extenuating circumstances where some applications must take priority. For example, applicants facing urgent health and or safety related issues which require immediate housing assistance.
Other Information
Our housing responsibilties
Our housing responsibilities include:
- Working with our communities, tenants and stakeholders to effectively deliver tenancy management services that meets our culture and tradition, and adherence to relevant legislative requirements.
- Collaboration with key partners such as our Building Services Unit, Department of Housing and QBuild to ensure delivery of responsive maintenance and capital works programs.
- Managing the needs of our communities by making effective use of social housing properties to address overcrowding; homelessness; medical conditions.
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Advocate housing needs of our communities at all levels of Govt and non-Govt sector
Our Housing team helps eligible people apply for housing in our communities, as well as assisting current tenants to manage their tenancies.
Obligations to General Tenancy Agreement (GTA)
As Lessor of the GTA, we have an obligation to:
At the commencement of tenancy ensure that:
- the premises is clean
- the premises is fit for liveability
- the premises is in good repair.
During the tenancy ensure that:
- council attends to timely repair and maintenance of the property
- the premises is fit for tenant liveability
- we access the premises to conduct inspections as per the GTA and TSIRC Housing policy
Tenant responsibilities
- Comply with conditions outlined in the General Tenancy Agreement (GTA)
- Notify your local Housing Officer if your circumstances change during term of tenancy
- Advise your local Housing Officer immediately if you are having difficulties paying rent
For more information regarding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, go to the Residential Tenancies Authority website.
Documents and forms
Key Initiatives
Responsive Maintenance Review (Blue Phone Services)
Council is partnering with the Department of housing in the 'Welcoming Voices' initiative to review and enhance the responsive maintenance service for First Nations Communities.
- Early stages of the project included engagements between tenants and delivery partners such as Council, QBuild and the Deptartment of Housing to identify challenges and also opportunities to enhance the service. The insights gained from this engagement will be used to generate and test ideas for change and outcomes which are tenant and community-focussed. Engagment with TSIRC Tenants: 68 responses to survey; 25 phone conversation; 8 in-person interviews
- Since 2022, a total of 14,481 repairs and maintenance jobs were reported
Safe and Healthy Housing Program
The Safe and Healthy Housing Program is a Queensland Government Department of Housing, Queensland Health and QBuild initiative, designed to enhance the health and quality of life for families in the Torres Strait by improving the functionality and safety of their homes. The initiative has resulted in a series of short videos showcasing how a well-maintained home and healthy living practices can benefit both families and the community.
Modular Housing
Communities in some of our remote communities have helped co-design a range of new factory-built homes. The one to four-bedroom designs and plug-in modules were developed by the Office of the Queensland Government Architect and QBuild in consultation with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council to ensure they are not only comfortable but also meet local cultural and environmental needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
This phone is free to use and is only available for maintenance requests. For other assistance, please contact TSIRC Housing staff.
Please find further information here: Requesting maintenance | Homes and housing | Queensland Government.
The timeframe for repairs is dependent on need and urgency. We attend first to repairs that are critical to health and safety of occupants. We do our best to attend to all repairs as soon as possible and thank you for your patience. Once the job is logged, you can follow up with your local Housing Officer who will have the job and status.
If your home was purchased with a Katter Lease, maintenance and repairs is your responsibility. If your home is rented through social housing, TSIRC is responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Please email Housing.department@tsirc.qld.gov.au or contact TSIRC reception on (07) 4034 5700
Contact Us
We welcome your feedback on any housing-related issues, and strive to always improve on ensuring our housing services meet each communitys’ needs.
Contact the housing department directly:
Phone: 07 4034 5700
