Griffith is committed to affordable housing and community development
This is demonstrated through a multifaceted approach to supporting students, staff, and the broader community in accessing safe and affordable housing, while also evaluating housing affordability.
Affordable housing for students
Looking for somewhere to live close to campus?
The university provides a range of affordable accommodation options, including on-campus residences such as Griffith University Village and partnerships with private housing providers. Students can choose to live on campus at Nathan or Gold Coast, or opt for off-campus housing through our trusted partners. Our campus accommodation options provide accommodation options for all students to provide a safe, affordable, healthy and inclusive place for students. Our facilities include common areas, internet and phone, laundry facilities, parking, gym, residential management and support, and security. They are accessible, residents can be close to their lectures, labs, libraries and other campus facilities, and there are on-campus accommodation options for people with disabilities.
Explore Gold Coast accommodation Explore Brisbane South (Nathan) accommodation Explore our accessibility on-campus maps
Affordable housing for employees
Looking for somewhere to live close to campus?
Griffith offers affordable, short-stay campus accommodation in private flats for up to 12 weeks for staff, students and visitors, along with resources for new and relocating staff and support for finding off-campus housing near its campuses. Staff members can also access general accommodation support services provided by the university, including guidance on off-campus, affordable housing options near its campuses.
For staff seeking housing, Griffith provides resources to help navigate tenancy laws and find suitable accommodation. Additionally, the university’s Campus Life division supports staff through broader services like parking, childcare, and access to campus amenities.
Griffith University’s Relocation Assistance Procedure also outlines the support available to new staff members who need to relocate to take up employment. The university may reimburse reasonable costs for temporary accommodation for up to four weeks, and provides access to relocation services. These services can include assistance with securing temporary housing, moving household goods, booking flights, and navigating immigration processes if applicable. The Talent Acquisition Team coordinates these services and liaises with the hiring manager and the appointee to ensure a smooth transition. Additional support may include orientation, home and school search services, and visa sponsorship where required.
Relocation Assistance Procedure Read about immigration and relocation
Social and Affordable Housing Program
Employees benefit from housing services and initiatives that promote affordability, particularly through Griffith’s Social and Affordable Housing Program. This program explores innovative financing models and collaborates with government and industry to shape sustainable housing solutions. Additionally, Griffith’s strategic infrastructure and community development projects enhance the liveability of surrounding areas, indirectly supporting employees through improved access to sustainable housing.
The Social and Affordable Housing Program provides a platform to bring together academics, researchers, practitioners and policymakers to carryout research and exchange ideas to develop innovative solutions to the financing of social and affordable housing. To this end, the Program conducts scholarly and practical research, organises conferences, symposia and seminars and training programs, and supervises PhD students.
Evaluating housing affordability
Griffith’s 2024 report assesses housing affordability for Griffith University staff and students at the Brisbane and Gold Coast campuses. Using established benchmarks—the 30/40 rule and the Community Housing Provider (CHP) model—it describes how Griffith supports new employees with short-term accommodation reimbursements and relocation guidance. For students, Griffith provides on-campus housing that meets affordability criteria under the CHP model, despite rising rental costs in Queensland. The report highlights the impact of post-COVID population growth and market pressures on housing stress, and concludes that Griffith’s student accommodation remains a viable and affordable option within a challenging housing landscape.
Local authority collaboration regarding planning and development
Griffith’s collaboration with local authorities is another cornerstone of its housing strategy. Through formal agreements with councils and active participation in urban planning, the university helps address regional development challenges. Notably, projects like the repurposing of student housing at Mount Gravatt for emergency accommodation highlight the university’s role in ensuring that local residents, including key workers, have access to affordable, well-designed housing. These efforts reflect Griffith’s broader commitment to social equity and sustainable community development.
Griffith University has played a leading role in advancing collaborative planning and investment strategies to address the urgent need for social and affordable housing (SAH) across Australia. Through its Cities Research Institute and leadership within the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (SBEnrc), Griffith has partnered with local authorities, state governments, housing providers, and industry stakeholders to develop practical frameworks and tools that support inclusive, sustainable urban development.
From 2021 to 2025, Griffith has led three major initiatives that exemplify this commitment. The first, Collaborative Planning for Liveable Medium to High Density Social and Affordable Housing (2022–2024), focused on the Green Square Close precinct in Brisbane, developed in partnership with Brisbane City Council and Brisbane Housing Company. This project produced a Liveability Framework to guide the design and management of housing precincts that meet the needs of diverse residents, including those with disabilities, older Australians, and low-income households.
The second initiative, Collaborative Planning for Affordable Housing (2023–2025), expanded Griffith’s work through the SBEnrc’s Build-to-Rent (BTR) Framework project. This research engaged with Brisbane City Council and
Sunshine Coast Council to explore innovative housing models and policy reforms that support affordable housing delivery. It informed planning strategies such as Queensland’s Housing Supply Expert Panel and the Housing Investment Growth Initiative, and highlighted the role of local councils in implementing BTR policies that prioritise developments managed by not-for-profit housing providers.
The third project, Collaborative Investment for Affordable Housing (2021–2023), led to the development of the Social and Affordable Housing Investment (SAHI) Tool. This tool, created in collaboration with state authorities including Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales, enables evidence-based decision-making by quantifying the broader social, economic, and environmental benefits of housing projects. It supports strategic planning and funding decisions by local governments and housing providers, helping to align investment strategies with community needs.
Together, these projects demonstrate Griffith University’s commitment to working with local authorities to create planning and investment frameworks that deliver accessible, affordable housing and foster resilient, inclusive communities. They reflect our active engagement with local authorities on planning, infrastructure, environmental resilience, and urban development.
Griffith University’s housing research also includes a focused study on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing advocacy, conducted in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane. Published in September 2024, this project explored the experiences of frontline social workers in Brisbane and Logan to identify and address barriers and enablers to housing access for Indigenous communities.
Collaborative Planning for Liveable Medium to High Density Social and Affordable Housing with Local Government Partnerships (2022–2024)
Local authority: Brisbane City Council
Griffith University, through its Cities Research Institute, has worked closely with local authorities, including Brisbane City Council, to address critical planning and development challenges in the delivery of social and affordable housing (SAH). A key example of this collaboration is the Green Square Close precinct in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, a medium- to high-density urban housing development comprising 80 social and affordable homes. This precinct was developed and managed by the Brisbane Housing Company (BHC), a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider, in partnership with Brisbane City Council (BCC). This case study, informed the creation of a Liveability Framework that supports the design and management of medium- to high-density housing precincts. The framework integrates liveability, accessibility, regulatory alignment, and long-term value to ensure housing developments meet the needs of diverse residents, including those with disabilities, older Australians, and low-income households. The project exemplifies a successful collaboration between Griffith University researchers, local government, and housing providers to address pressing urban planning challenges.
The research responds to the growing demand for accessible and affordable housing in urban areas, particularly for vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities, older Australians, and low-income households. Griffith’s framework proposes a holistic approach to precinct planning, emphasising the need for inclusive, liveable environments that support community wellbeing and long-term sustainability.
A central aim of the Liveability Framework is to ensure that local residents can access affordable housing that meets their whole-of-life needs. The framework includes five key elements:
- Liveability – prioritising place-based and community-focused design, including access to green spaces, safety features, and community hubs.
- Accessibility – ensuring housing is suitable for people with varying physical and sensory needs, and located near transport, employment, and support services.
- Value Equation – balancing upfront costs with long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits.
- Regulatory and Policy Environment – advocating for consistent planning standards and integration of accessibility into building codes.
- Adoption and Overcoming Barriers – promoting best-practice examples, cross-sector partnerships, and community engagement to drive uptake.
The framework is designed to be adaptable and scalable, enabling local councils and housing providers to tailor it to their specific contexts and priorities. It provides a toolkit for local authorities to improve planning outcomes and deliver affordable, accessible housing in urban precincts. The framework supports community acceptance and encourages investment in sustainable housing solutions.
Collaborative Planning for Affordable Housing (2023-2025)
Local authorities: Brisbane City Council, Sunshine Coast Council
Griffith University, through its leadership in the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (SBEnrc), plays a pivotal role in advancing collaborative planning and development strategies to address housing affordability in Australia. The SBEnrc’s Build-to-Rent (BTR) Framework project, led by Griffith researchers, brings together government, industry, and community stakeholders to explore innovative models for delivering social and affordable housing (SAH). This work directly engages with local, state, and federal authorities to streamline planning processes, align housing policies, and implement incentives that support the development of affordable housing.
The report highlights how Griffith’s research informs policy and planning reforms, such as Queensland’s Housing Supply Expert Panel and the Housing Investment Growth Initiative, which aim to increase SAH supply through strategic land use, expedited approvals, and inclusionary zoning. Local councils, including Brisbane City Council, are actively involved in implementing BTR policies that defer infrastructure charges and prioritise developments managed by not-for-profit housing providers. These partnerships ensure that planning decisions are responsive to community needs and help local residents—particularly key workers, people with disabilities, and older women at risk of homelessness—access secure and affordable housing.
By fostering strong public-private collaborations and contributing evidence-based insights, Griffith University helps shape a planning environment that supports sustainable, inclusive development and addresses the urgent need for affordable housing across Queensland and beyond.
Collaborative Investment for Affordable Housing (2021-2023)
Local authorities: Queensland Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (QDCHDE), Queensland Treasury, Western Australia Department of Communities, Western Australia Treasury, NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Griffith University has also played a central role in developing the Social and Affordable Housing Investment (SAHI) Tool—an innovative framework designed to support evidence-based decision-making and investment in affordable housing. This tool was developed in collaboration with state governments, industry partners, community organisations, and peak bodies, reflecting Griffith’s commitment to working closely with local authorities and stakeholders to address planning and development challenges.
The SAHI Tool enables government agencies, local councils, and housing providers to assess the broader social, economic, and environmental benefits of housing projects, moving beyond traditional cost-based models. It incorporates over 240 indicators across nine impact domains—such as health, education, employment, and urban amenity—and three context domains, including transformational narratives and network engagement. These indicators help quantify the value of housing initiatives and support more strategic planning and funding decisions.
Griffith’s work with local authorities is particularly focused on ensuring that planning frameworks and investment strategies support the delivery of housing that is accessible to low- and moderate-income residents. By facilitating partnerships between public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, and by promoting tools like SAHI, Griffith helps local governments identify gaps in housing supply, improve policy alignment, and strengthen the capacity of community housing providers. This collaborative approach ensures that planning and development efforts are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of local communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Advocacy (2023-2024)
Griffith University, through its School of Health Sciences and Social Work, contributed to a collaborative research project led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane, published in September 2024. The study, titled Voices from the Frontline: Insights on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Advocacy, explored the perspectives of 22 frontline social workers in Brisbane and Logan, Queensland, to better understand the barriers and enablers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face when seeking housing. The research was conducted between October 2023 and August 2024 and highlighted the importance of culturally responsive, community-led approaches to housing policy and service delivery. Griffith’s involvement helped ensure the research was grounded in ethical practice and aligned with national guidelines for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The findings underscore the systemic challenges that persist in Queensland’s housing landscape, including bureaucratic inflexibility, racial discrimination, geographic displacement, and inadequate housing supply. Despite government strategies such as the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan (2021–2025) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Sector Strengthening Plan (2023), the study revealed a disconnect between policy intentions and lived realities. Importantly, the research emphasised the role of family and community as protective factors, and the need for comprehensive wraparound support services to improve housing stability. Griffith’s collaboration with ATSICHS and other local authorities reflects a commitment to addressing planning and development issues through evidence-based advocacy, with a particular focus on ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents can access safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing.