Affordable housing launched in South Australia’s north
11th December, 2014
MORE than 100 new affordable properties will help ease housing stress in South Australia’s regional north, with today’s official opening of Unity Housing’s $23.8 million Northern Region Affordable Housing Initiative.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the project was funded by all three levels of government.
“The regional north is a diverse and vibrant community which needs more affordable housing to attract employment and sustain the economies of local towns and communities,” Mr Truss said.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the Initiative involved consultation, planning, demolition works and construction in building the new affordable properties.
“These properties are located in Saddleworth, Burra, Gladstone, Laura, Jamestown, Port Pirie, Peterborough, Boolooroo Centre, Melrose, Port Augusta and Whyalla,” Mr Ramsey said.
“The locations were determined through consultation with local regional development boards and this new housing will benefit older residents, people living with a disability and low to moderate income earners.”
South Australian Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Geoff Brock said 22 of the new homes will be sold to the market, 60 will be rented by low to moderate income earners and 20 will be rented to older South Australians and people with a disability.
“These properties have 1.5 kilowatt photovoltaic solar generation systems included which could halve electricity bills and all properties are anticipated to be tenanted by the end of this year.”
The Australian Government provided $5 million to the Northern Region Affordable Housing Initiative and the South Australian Government provided more than $3.7 million.
The Unity Housing Company contributed nearly $15 million and EcoPlus also provided funding of $74,000.
