About 500 new social homes will be built in Queensland as part of a $320 million investment in Tuesday's state budget to assist the growing numbers of families experiencing housing insecurity.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government would pull "every lever possible" to ensure Queenslanders had a roof over their heads.

"We recognise that this is a big issue out there for families," she said.

New Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the investment formed part of the state's build-to-rent program, with the 500 pledged new homes coming on top of 2,765 the government had already promised by 2025.

Under the program, the government partners with the private sector to deliver "discount-to-the-market affordable rental homes".

"We know that the housing market is really hot right now and that is why we are doing everything we can to build as many social and affordable houses as possible, so that every Queenslander has a safe roof over their head," Ms Scanlon said.

"People are feeling the impact of inflation, which is meaning that some people who have never needed support from government before are reaching out for help.

"We're dealing with very unique circumstances and pressures right now and we acknowledge that. That's why we've got increased investment."

She said the 500 new homes would be built across the state, with a target for contracts to be signed with the private sector by 2025.

"It's really difficult to get construction projects up off the ground because of the supply chain constraints and the limitation on the workforce," Ms Scanlon said.

"But the money is there, it's available and we'll be doing everything we can to get those houses up off the ground as quickly as possible."

'The greatest problem we have': treasurer

The $320 million budget injection follows a recent $10 million commitment to transform Brisbane's never-used Pinkenba quarantine facility into emergency accommodation, and a further $64 million has been allocated to purchase and lease accommodation sites in inner Brisbane to support people experiencing housing insecurity.

The government action comes after a report was released in March, which found the numbers of homeless people in Queensland had jumped more than 20 per cent in five years – almost triple the increase nationally.

That report, from the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) and the Town of Nowhere campaign, predicted more than 220,000 households in the state would not have affordable housing within two decades.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said the Palaszczuk government was working with the private sector, community housing organisations and financial institutions — such as superannuation funds — to build, buy, or lease more homes for Queenslanders.

"Housing pressures have had an impact across the country, and Queensland hasn't been immune," he said.

"That's why we continue to take action to address this critical issue.

"The Palaszczuk Government's budget is investing in a range of housing initiatives to address housing supply shortages across the state.

"We've got to continue to act as a government. The construction industry is at capacity. That's the greatest problem we have. We've got every possible tradie, every possible building company, doing something.

Mr Dick said the budget would be all about housing, health and delivering better community safety and improving the cost of the living for Queensland families.

Ms Palaszczuk said the budget would allocate "billions of dollars … towards cost-of-living measures".

'Woefully inadequate' 

Queensland Council of Social Services said the announcement was "welcome, but ... woefully inadequate". 

The state needs at least 2,700 homes a year, according to CEO Aimee McVeigh.

"Across the past decade the Queensland government has delivered about 500 new houses per year, which is about the same as they have sold or demolished, so there has been an absolute neglect of this area for over a decade," she said.