Affordable Housing

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (14:48): My question is to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Human Services. Can the Attorney please update the house on the state government's plans to build additional affordable housing for South Australians?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (14:48): It is indeed a pleasure to receive this question from the member for Kavel because across South Australia there has been an enlivening in relation to our affordable housing programs. The Minister for Human Services has spearheaded that development from the strategy that was developed last year and published in December to set out, for the next 10 years, our housing future, including affordable housing initiatives.

There are two of those I would like to report to the parliament that have been developed and are underway. First was the thousand new home ownership opportunities to low and medium-income earners by 2025. That's obviously a partnership between builders and developers.

Ms Cook: $400,000 is hardly affordable.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Well, the member interjects—

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier won't respond to interjections.

Ms Cook: Affordable for who?

The SPEAKER: I call to order the member for Hurtle Vale. The Deputy Premier has the call.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: There will be construction from a mix of surplus land of SA Housing Trust and privately owned land to appropriate the investment into these private developments. The majority of housing, of course, will be in the Adelaide metropolitan area.

Ms Cook: There's no surplus land—just put homes on it.

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale is warned.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Some members might enjoy hearing where some of those other locations will be, but there will certainly be some in the regions. In terms of the affordable housing program, which is generally below the $400,000 mark, as at 31 of August, I can report to the house that the Housing Authority released a tender to deliver those and that tender is now being evaluated. Again, there is a combination of options in relation to land ownership, services on land identified by suppliers and, of course, that owned by the authority.

Over the next five years, $400 million is going into this. It's a major public investment on behalf of South Australians for the benefit of those who are either in the construction industry or ultimately the beneficiaries of these homes. In the meantime, we haven't sat idle in this department. The minister has proceeded with a 100-dwelling build for a housing construction program, a majority of which is to be sold off to affordable housing—again, a stimulus to builders. For those who are interested in this area, the single and two storey—some two or three bedrooms—will be built in Blair Athol, Edwardstown, Findon, Kidman Park, Kilburn, Morphettville, Mount Barker, Pooraka, Woodville Gardens, Taperoo, Tonsley, Croydon Park, Felixstow, Klemzig, South Brighton and South Plympton.

Again, this is exclusively available to low and moderate-income South Australians. The affordable pricepoint is between $365,000 and up to $419,750. Obviously, it's hopeful that there will be a number of these below the $365,000 pricepoint. Can I urge all South Australians, as I do in my own office and in my own street every day: there is $40,000 on the table in government grants, including $15,000 from our First Home Owner Grant and $25,000 as a part of the HomeBuilder scheme. This is a magnificent—

Ms Cook: One person in South Australia has been approved for it—one person.

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Hurtle Vale!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —contribution to be able to take advantage of this. In fact, it has been so popular that some of the builders have had to close off their books because they have really reached saturation point about what they are actually able to deliver. It is a magnificent initiative. The money is on the table. There is no better time, of course, for low and moderate-income earners to step forward, take advantage of this benefit and buy a home. The projects are underway, the builders are busy and obviously the money is flowing. Construction on the 100 homes is almost completely completed and I look forward to giving you a further update on the rest of this fabulous program.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister's time has expired. Before I call the member for West Torrens, I warn the member for Hurtle Vale for a second time.