This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Brisbane north region will be the recipient of a new state government investment into social housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The move will see land in Zilmere, sitting 14km north from the Brisbane CBD, redeveloped into four one-bedroom apartments, with the Palaszczuk government providing $1.63 millions of funding to Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Corporation to deliver the project.
“This will provide modern, accessible and affordable social housing for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Leeanne Enoch, minister for communities and housing.
The new residences will be built to accessibility standards, meeting the needs of seniors and the disabled by abiding to the Livable Housing Design guidelines. One apartment will reach a Platinum Level to provide housing to wheelchair users, while the remaining three will be built to a Gold Level.
“It is wonderful to have this investment in our local community. It is much needed and will be very welcomed,” said Leanne Linard, member for Nudgee, minister for children, youth justice and minister for multicultural affairs.
Additionally, the formats of the single bedroom homes will also include a multi-use space.
The funding for the redevelopment will be provided to Umpi Korumba through the department of communities housing and digital economy and falls under the June 2021-launched Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025.
“The new Action Plan is backed by a $2.9 billion investment, including the establishment of a $1 billion Housing Investment Fund,” said Enoch.
“This is the largest concentrated investment in social housing in Queensland’s history and will see the commencement of 10,000 new homes over the life of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027.”
The project also falls under the promises outlined in the government’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Action Plan 2019-2023, which outlines First Nations peoples as 6 times more likely to experience homelessness, two times more likely to be living in severely overcrowded dwellings and around half as likely to achieve home ownership than other Queenslanders.
“This project will provide Umpi Korumba with more safe, secure social and affordable housing solutions for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community here on Turrbal Country,” said Trevor Robinson, chairperson of Umpi Korumba.
Umpi Korumba will begin construction of the apartments in July of 2022.
