Homes for Queenslanders: First tenants move into purchased 124-home former retirement village

• Tenants move into 124-home retirement village bought by Miles Government
• QBuild finalising transformation, Churches of Christ Housing Services and YFS to provide tenant support
• Part of Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan to deliver one million more homes, including 53,500 social homes
• LNP oppose government purchasing homes, threaten to cut more

The first tenants are settling into their new digs at a 124-home former retirement village as the Miles Government delivers its Homes for Queenslanders plan.

The government purchased the vacant former Tanah Merah retirement village late last year and has utilised its public builder QBuild to transform the buildings into social housing.

Among the total 124 social homes is 85 one-bedroom and 39 two-bedroom homes.

Tenants will be supported and managed by Churches of Christ Housing Services and Logan-based specialist homelessness service provider YFS.

The purchase of the former retirement village was funded through the government’s signature Housing Investment Fund.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and the LNP do not support the government buying homes for Queenslanders, saying they will not use the Housing Investment Fund to purchase homes.

The LNP have since vowed to cut the similar $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund as part of $15.5 billion in federal housing funding cuts.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“A safe place to call home – that’s my commitment to Queenslanders.

“My plan to deliver more social and affordable housing is delivering.

“Here in Logan, there are 124 homes now available for our most vulnerable. These are just some of the more than 550 homes that have been delivered in the area through our housing programs.

“I will do what matters to build even more homes, just like these, in the areas where Queenslanders need housing security.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman:

“We’ve delivered more than 500 social homes in Logan, and we’re delivering more as part of our Homes for Queenslanders plan – because we’re doing what matters.

“These homes add to another 260-plus either under construction or contracted to be built very soon in Logan.

“As the Member for Waterford I’ve fought hard alongside the Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon to see this property turned into much needed homes for local families and individuals.

“This is all at risk however, under the LNP who cut social housing when in Government and just last year voted against investment in 30,000 social and affordable homes.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon:

“Together with Shannon, I fought hard to see this place purchased and transformed into social homes.

“Under the LNP this wouldn’t be possible, because they don’t support buying vacant hotels, motels and retirement villages to give people a safe home, sooner.

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“While we build, we’ve also been looking at other ways to get people into homes sooner like buying former hotels, motels and retirement villages. 

“I won’t apologise for buying places while we build.

“That’s unlike the LNP who will tell Queenslanders and community housing providers one thing, but then turn around and say they don’t support government using its Housing Investment Fund to partner and buy homes.

“The same LNP who have now sharpened their knives to gut Queensland and Australians of $15.5 billion in federal housing funding. They just can’t be trusted.”

Quotes attributable to great-great-grandmother Terri Taylor, the first tenant to move in, who credits her new home with significant improvements to her health and well-being:

“I’ve got a whole new lease on life. My lovely unit is so sunny and bright, and for me it means peace,’’ she said.

“Everyone helps each other, I’ve made friends, we go out, we share meals – living here is like having brothers and sisters around. And the staff are just brilliant.

“I walk my friend Lee’s dog Charlie for her every day, our friend Sandra often drives us to the shops and many of us are growing seedlings on our balconies, ready for the community herb and veggie garden we’re making.’’

Further information:

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact the Logan Housing Service Centre during business hours on 07 3086 3700 or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

ENDS