New seniors housing in Coopers Plains

Published Tuesday, 13 May, 2014 at 12:00 PM

Minister for Housing and Public Works
The Honourable Tim Mander

Seniors in Coopers Plains have been given an affordable and more suitable place to live within the comfort of their own local community in a new social housing development.

Housing Minister Tim Mander said the 11-unit development was built so tenants would be able to stay in their local community, and yet not be burdened by the physical and financial challenges of maintaining a large three bedroom-plus property.

“This development, being managed by the 4Walls housing group, demonstrates the importance of better matching housing to people’s needs,” Mr Mander said.

“We promised at the election to cut waste and lower the cost of living for families and we are delivering.

“Labor failed to manage public housing and failed to plan for the future, but we are cleaning up the mess and creating better opportunities both now and in the years to come.

“These tenants were in houses that were too large for their needs and they wanted something more manageable, while we have many needy families waiting for houses with three or more bedrooms to become available.

“Historically, larger families were occupying the majority of social housing dwellings in Queensland, so most of the State’s housing stock comprises three and four bedroom houses.

“An additional challenge for both tenants and the Government is that these houses need considerable upkeep – more than 60 per cent of them are more than 20 years old.

“Today, more than 50% of our social housing tenants are individuals who need smaller one to two bedroom apartments which are easier to maintain.

“Now that these senior residents have more suitable accommodation, the larger three-bedroom properties are available for families who have urgent housing needs.”

Minister Mander said the project would help achieve a key objective of the Government’s Housing 2020 Strategy to renew and reconfigure social housing stock to better meet needs.

“It’s a win-win for all – we can house more people who are at risk of becoming homeless and provide more suitable accommodation for tenants.

“In addition developments like Coopers Plains have helped the Government significantly reduce the housing waiting list from more than 30,000 households under Labor to now just over 19,000.

“We’re making sure Queensland has a flexible, efficient and supportive housing system that gives all people the dignity that comes from having a safe and affordable place to call home.” 

More information on the Housing 2020 Strategy is available at www.hpw.qld.gov.au/housing

[ENDS] 13 May 2014

Media contact: Janette Andrews 0414 248 982