Townsville pushes build-to-rent scheme in bid to address rental crisis

Experts say there’s little evidence that a privately-owned single landlord development would increase housing affordability

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Local authorities in Townsville are seeking $40m in government funding to support a 1,000 unit build-to-rent scheme that the local council says could help tackle the rental crisis in the northern Queensland city, where the number of homes available for rent for less than $400 a week has halved in the past three years.

However, critics say there is little evidence to suggest this method, which sees developers act as landlords and let directly to tenants, will increase affordability.

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