Published Friday, 06 July, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
$2.4 MILLION BOOST FOR SOCIAL HOUSING ON SUNSHINE COAST
The State Government’s record $719 million State Budget allocation for social housing has started to flow with the purchase of a 10, two-bedroom unit complex in Yandina, Housing Minister Robert Schwarten announced today.
Mr Schwarten said the complex, in Stevens Street, had been purchased for $2.4 million.
“This is great news for low and medium-income earners living on the Sunshine Coast who have been forced out of the private rental market because of skyrocketing rents,” Mr Schwarten said.
“In the past five years, the median weekly rent for a dwelling in the private rental market on the Sunshine Coast has increased by 61%, or more than $100 a week,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Over the same time period, Commonwealth rent assistance – which is supposed to help low income earners access the private rental market – has increased by a dismal $7.
“This has forced many people to apply to the Department of Housing for assistance.
“The State Government is responding to the situation by constructing more social housing and purchasing existing dwellings to further bolster its property portfolio.”
Mr Schwarten said the Stevens Street property would be upgraded and aligned to the Department’s standard at a cost of $7,500 before being tenanted.
“This purchase demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to social housing on the Sunshine Coast, which has seen more than $260 million invested in housing and housing-related services in the region since 1998,” he said.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Mr Schwarten said the complex, in Stevens Street, had been purchased for $2.4 million.
“This is great news for low and medium-income earners living on the Sunshine Coast who have been forced out of the private rental market because of skyrocketing rents,” Mr Schwarten said.
“In the past five years, the median weekly rent for a dwelling in the private rental market on the Sunshine Coast has increased by 61%, or more than $100 a week,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Over the same time period, Commonwealth rent assistance – which is supposed to help low income earners access the private rental market – has increased by a dismal $7.
“This has forced many people to apply to the Department of Housing for assistance.
“The State Government is responding to the situation by constructing more social housing and purchasing existing dwellings to further bolster its property portfolio.”
Mr Schwarten said the Stevens Street property would be upgraded and aligned to the Department’s standard at a cost of $7,500 before being tenanted.
“This purchase demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to social housing on the Sunshine Coast, which has seen more than $260 million invested in housing and housing-related services in the region since 1998,” he said.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832