A new $3.8 million social housing complex supporting vulnerable Queenslanders has officially opened its doors in Townsville.
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the new 14-unit complex in Kirwan had been built to deliver more social and affordable homes for North Queensland.
“This is another example of how the Palaszczuk Government is boosting housing supply, supporting vulnerable people, and creating jobs in our region,
“This great project supported more than 12 fulltime equivalent jobs during its construction, Mr Harper said.
The complex consists of 14 one-bedroom units configured as three separate, two-storey buildings providing safe and sustainable housing for some of the most vulnerable people in the region.
All of the units have been built to either Gold, Platinum or Silver Standard under the Livable Housing Design Guidelines, meaning they are designed with accessibility in mind.
Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Housing and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾lessness Action Plan 2021-2025 had been launched in June and was underpinned by a $2.9 billion investment across the state.
“This is the largest concentrated investment in social housing in Queensland’s history,” she said.
“It includes the establishment of a $1 billion Housing Investment Fund, along with a $1.9 billion investment over four years under the Queensland Housing Investment Growth Initiative (QHIGI).
“QuickStarts Qld, a component of the QHIGI, will see the commencement of an additional 229 new social housing homes in the North Queensland region through a planned investment of $67.7 million over the next four years.
“This injection builds on the 140 new social homes already commenced in the North Queensland region under the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027.”
Minister Enoch said the supply of social and affordable housing in Queensland will increase by almost 10,000 over the first eight years of the Housing Strategy.
“This includes the commencement of 7,400 new social and affordable homes across the state over the next four years,” she said.
“The 2021-22 State Budget also included an additional $94.9 million over four years, including $23.7 million in 2021-22, to provide housing and homelessness services and deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders.”
Tenant Don Moreland, aged 76, who recently moved into the Kirwan complex says the best thing about living there is the ‘peace and quiet’.
“It’s a lovely unit, I even have my own garden. There’s only 14 units in the complex so everyone knows each other – it’s a lovely little community,” he said.
After suffering a debilitating back injury eight years ago, Don struggled to find appropriate housing.
“I oved around a bit, one place had a huge yard that needed a lot of physical maintenance which I couldn’t keep up with and most recently I had nowhere to go so I ended up at the local motel which was too expensive and not a long-term solution,” Don said.
“Then my local Housing team found me this unit and it’s perfect for me and my needs.
“Thanks to them I finally have a place I can call home.
“It’s also really close to the local shops, so there’s not too far to travel if I need anything or if I need to pick anything up for the other residents if they need anything.”
