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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-22 Daily Xml
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. Minister, will you advise the council of the details of the new affordable housing development at Blakeview?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. Last week, I officially opened 25 newly built community housing properties, which were constructed by Community Housing Limited, at Blakes Crossing in Blakeview.

Community Housing Limited (CHL) is a national and international provider of community housing and assists low to moderate-income earners with access to affordable and sustainable rental housing, in which tenants pay less than 75 per cent of the market rent applicable to the property.

CHL is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity where all financial surpluses are reinvested in the company to go back into future quality affordable housing projects. They have a current portfolio of around 3,000 dwellings, including properties in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and now here in South Australia.

CHL develops housing in partnership with communities and governments to assist needy people in both metro and regional Australia. I did have the opportunity to walk through a couple of the completed two-bedroom townhouses which were due for occupation the very next day. They were of an extremely high standard and ideal for either single people or small families seeking affordable accommodation.

There is a shopping centre within walking distance to ensure there is adequate access to a wide variety of services. While I was there, I spoke to one of the new residents who told me how much he loved his current accommodation and how grateful he was for the opportunity to call Blakes Crossing his new home.

In October 2009, the then minister for housing wrote to CHL advising them of the in-principle approval for grant funding of up to $8.1 million from both the Affordable Housing Innovations Fund and the National Partnerships Agreement on Social Housing to construct 50 affordable rental houses across six metropolitan sites, including (of course) Blakeview, but also Elizabeth Park, Salisbury, Salisbury North, Elizabeth East and Park Holme, with a total estimated project cost of $12.128 million.

CHL were also successful in obtaining approval for 50 incentives under round 1 of the NRAS. As part of their ongoing commitment to the future success of these properties, CHL will also provide tenancy and management services for the properties over the long term.

Affordable and sustainable housing for low to middle-income households is an increasing challenge for the future, and partnerships between the government and companies like CHL are vital in maintaining affordable housing options for South Australians. I look forward to their involvement with affordable housing in South Australia into the future.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Franks has a supplementary.

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