Homes for Queenslanders: Housing Investment Fund delivers Thursday Island affordable homes

• Miles Government and Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust partner through Housing Investment Fund for eight affordable homes
• Modular homes will be constructed in a factory before being transported to the Torres Strait
• Homes form part of Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan to deliver one million more homes

Eight more affordable homes will be built for Thursday Island through the Miles Government’s Housing Investment Fund..

The government has partnered with The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust to provide affordable, modular housing for low-income households including young couples and small families.

The homes will be one- or two-bedroom properties and are under construction by Oly Homes in a factory before being transported to the Torres Strait later this year.

The homes form part of the Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan to deliver one million more homes, and follows the government announcing in its Budget that it would deliver 600 more modular homes across the state.

Quotes attribute to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:

“Modular houses  are a fantastic way for us to deliver more homes in our communities, alongside traditional builds.

“We know that in remote areas of the state, like Thursday Island, land supply and construction costs make the delivery of new homes more challenging.

“I’m also pleased to know that the homes will be designed to suit the local climate and cultural needs.”

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“To build more homes, faster we’re partnering with community housing providers and utilising both our public builder QBuild and Queensland businesses to deliver hundreds more modular homes.

“They take less time to build than conventional construction, and because they’re built inside a factory, aren’t hampered by weather delays during construction.”

Quotes attributable to Rev Bruce Moore, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod:

“We are very grateful to join with the Queensland Government’s Department of Housing and the Housing Investment Fund, and to be able to provide use of the land to deliver affordable homes for Thursday Island families.”

“The Thursday Island community is remarkable, and we give thanks to them and the Torres Strait Thursday Island Uniting Church congregation for their commitment and partnership.”

Quotes attributable to Oly Homes owner Dale Funston:

“Oly Homes is pleased to be working with the Queensland Government and The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust to deliver new affordable homes for Thursday Island,” he said.

“Modular housing is a key tool to help ease the housing challenges in the state, and we’re pleased to see the government taking up the opportunities that come with building modular housing.

“These homes will be designed to the highest standards, suitable for the climate and needs of the people of Thursday Island.”

Further information:

To find out about the Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan visit: https://www.housing.qld.gov.au/homesforqueenslanders  

For more information about the Housing Investment Fund visit: https://www.housing.qld.gov.au/initiatives/housing-investment/housing-investment-fund

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact the Thursday Island Hub during business hours on 07 4212 3700 or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078