The latest data from the state’s social housing register shows there were 24,991 applications to December, with half of those people already being homeless and average wait times blowing out to 28 months.

Nearly one-third of those applicants had children.

“We’re continuing to see an increasing number of families with young children who have nowhere to go,” Queensland Council of Social Services CEO Amy McVeigh told reporters on Monday.

“It’s incredibly concerning.”

The state government is trying to tackle the growing housing issue with the Homes for Queenslanders plan: a $3.1 billion funding boost to deliver one million homes, including 53,500 social homes, by 2046.

The plan includes initiatives like expanding the Immediate Relief for Families program to provide emergency accommodation to all individuals and families, banning rent bidding, limiting rent increases to annually instead of tenancy based, and social service funding.

Premier Steven Miles and his cabinet have promised a home for every resident.

“Everyone deserves the safety and security of a roof over their head,” Housing Minister Meghan Scanlon said on Friday.

Ms McVeigh said the commitment for every Queenslander to have a home is welcome but did not share whether it was a realistic target given the current statistics.

“If we don’t make a commitment to a home for every Queenslander, what we’re in essence saying is that as a state, we’re comfortable with some families, some mothers and babies living in cars and tents,” she said.

She wants the policy promises to be implemented as quickly as possible.

There is also a call to explore more options for temporary housing like the federally-owned Pinkenba 500-bed quarantine facility that was meant to be used during the height of COVID-19 but remained untouched.

“We need to make sure that the government is literally out there looking at every single possible option to get people out of tents and cars and put a roof over their head of families with children,” Ms McVeigh said.

But Queensland is facing an election year and a potential change of government when voters head to the polls in October.

With this possibility of the current government’s schemes being thrown out if the LNP is elected has sparked Ms McVeigh to call for the opposition to reveal more details of its social housing strategies.

“The LNP needs to front up as soon as possible to tell us what they’re going to do to make sure that these families don’t continue to live in cars, tents and hotel rooms,” she said.

The LNP lists among its priorities, if elected, delivering social housing projects on time and on budget.

Ms McVeigh wants the LNP to ensure planning and supply remain a policy focus as well as social service funding and renter laws.