New funding for affordable housing across the State

The Newman Government is calling for proposals for new funding available under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) to increase the supply of affordable rental dwellings and focussing specifically on areas across Queensland where the renewal of public housing is a priority.

Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander said the scheme offered financial incentives to individuals and organisations to build and rent dwellings for low to medium income households at a rate at least 20 per cent below market rent value.

“This is good news as the Government will support up to 2,000 incentives in Round 5 of NRAS and I strongly encourage proposals for projects to be delivered in 2015-16,” Mr Mander said.

“We particularly want to build mixed-use developments offering NRAS, social housing and affordable home ownership with this funding.

“The Government is especially keen to see this type of development on the Gold Coast and in Logan, Gladstone, Townsville, Mount Isa, and the greater Brisbane region extending to Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton Bay.

“We want to expand the diversity of housing options in these priority areas and will need applicants to show how their proposals deliver affordable options for different household types and levels of income.

“NRAS has already delivered more than 4,800 dwellings in Queensland which means much needed affordable housing was available for more than 5,360 households on low to medium incomes.

“As well our residential construction industry gets a significant boost from this scheme with a further 4,000 dwellings currently under construction.”

Also under NRAS, the Queensland Government is supporting 200 incentives in the ‘Shovel Ready Round’ for priority local government areas around the State. These projects will be substantially completed by June 2014 and tenanted by December 2014.

Information on the NRAS and information for Round 5 applicants is available on the department’s website at: www.hpw.qld.gov.au under Housing Services, and then Renting in the private market.

Prospective applicants should access detailed information on how to apply from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Communities Services and Indigenous Affairs website at:  www.fahcsia.gov.au.

[ENDS] 23 May 2013

Media Contact: Janette Andrews 3237 1832