This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
SHOVELS have hit the ground on 16 new social homes in the Bundaberg suburb of Kalkie, which will be aimed at singles, couples, young people, small families, people with disability and seniors looking to downsize from larger social homes.
It comes after the Miles government announced 30-plus modular homes for the region, as well as seven new social homes in Avoca.
Four of the new Kalkie homes will be designed to gold standard under the Social Housing Design Guidelines, making them accessible for people with a disability and seniors with mobility needs.
Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said the government was partnering with Regional Housing Limited (RHL) to build a new housing complex east of the Bundaberg CBD.
The Kalkie homes form part of the Miles government’s Homes for Queenslanders program, which aims to build one million homes, including 53,500 social homes.
Nearly 1,000 social and affordable homes are currently under construction across the state.
“Secure and affordable housing can be life changing for families and individuals doing it tough,” Regional Housing Limited chairperson, Nathan Freeman said,
Smith said, “I’ve fought hard for more homes to be built – because it’s what matters to our community – and I’m excited to see another project get shovels in the ground.
“It adds to the modular homes we’ve announced, the social homes we’re building and the additional support we’ve given to renters and hardworking homelessness organisations.”
Regional Queensland’s vacancy rate stand at just 1.27%, according to PropTrack. They are 48% lower since the beginning of the pandemic, in March 2020.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said, “Whether it’s partnerships to build homes like these, new pathways to fast-track more affordable homes or utilising innovative Queensland businesses to rollout modular homes, we’re leaving no stone unturned.”
Meanwhile, the Miles government, Mareeba Shire Council and Mareeba Community Housing Company have partnered to deliver a two two-bedroom social home development with $935,000 in funding from the Miles government.
The homes are being built by Brendan Grant Homes and will support around three full-time equivalent construction jobs.
