HOUSING SA

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. Minister, will you advise the council regarding the Housing SA's building of UNO Apartments at Waymouth Street in the city?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for his very enlightened question and his continuing interest in housing issues in South Australia. Housing SA began the process to build the UNO Apartments after cabinet approved construction on 14 December 2009. A report was provided by the Public Works Committee on 3 February 2010 which recommended that the project go ahead.

The budget for the project is $50.89 million and it is financed by money from The Nation Building—Economic Stimulus Plan which includes $2 million in federal government crisis accommodation program funds as a contribution towards the youth service component of this multistorey development.

In total the project involves construction of 116 residential apartments, a homeless youth administration facility, retail space on the ground floor and parking facilities for 36 cars within a single 17-level apartment building. It aims to provide a range of affordable living opportunities which includes occupancy and home ownership, as well as social housing tenancies in a single integrated community.

The groundbreaking development represents the largest single building project ever to be undertaken by Housing SA and demonstrates to the housing industry and to the wider community that mixed tenure developments of this type can be achieved with a high degree of market acceptance.

The building's configuration will comprise 30 bed-sit apartments for homeless and higher-risk youth which will be retained by Housing SA; 27 social housing apartments to be managed by Housing SA; 27 apartments for affordable rental programs funded by the National Rental Affordability Scheme; 28 affordable sales apartments to be sold to low and moderate income SA homebuyers under the HSA Affordable Homes Program; and, finally, 34 apartments sold on the general market. Work is progressing steadily, and the project is due for completion by June 2012.