Since the announcement of Queensland's share of the Australian Government's Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan, the Department of Communities has welcomed the opportunity to take advantage of the biggest injection of funds into the state's housing system in recent history.
Throughout 2009, the department worked hard to establish a building program to construct much needed social housing stock across the state.
A development at Longland Street, Newstead is one such project which commenced construction last year, with completion scheduled for June 2010.
The development, being built by the Brisbane Housing Company, will deliver 95 dwellings comprising of nine studio units and 17 one-bedroom units under the Nation Building Social Housing initiative. In addition, 30 one- and two-bedroom units on this site have been funded under the National Rental Affordability Scheme for private rental. A further 39 units will be sold to the private market. One unit will be fully wheelchair accessible and there will be lift access to all floors.
The development is the largest project undertaken by a Queensland charity and the first time affordable housing and private market housing for sale is being combined in an apartment building. Income realised from the private market sales will be reinvested by the Brisbane Housing Company into more affordable housing for low income earners.
Ensuring the rapid and effective implementation of the housing element of the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan has been a high priority for Queensland.
The department is on track to deliver more than 2700 dwellings under this initiative by the end of December this year, with over 2,000 dwellings already commenced.
The rollout of this initiative is providing a much needed boost to support jobs with an immediate flow-on effect for suppliers, small businesses and the local economy generally.
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