New model for affordable housing opens in South Brisbane

Some of Brisbane’s most vulnerable people will have a place to call home with the opening of the new Brisbane Common Ground project in South Brisbane.

Officially opened today by the State Minister for Housing and Public Works Bruce Flegg and the Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Brendan O’Connor, Brisbane Common Ground will provide affordable housing for 146 tenants.

Dr Flegg said the new building was a step forward in providing more affordable housing options in inner Brisbane.

“Approximately 300 people sleep rough in Brisbane every night,” Dr Flegg said.

“As housing costs increase, so does that number.

“We already have around 30,000 families waiting for social housing, which is why projects like Brisbane Common Ground are so important.”

“Under the Common Ground model, tenants’ rent will not exceed 30% of their gross household income after any applicable Australian Government Rent Assistance is deducted.”

Dr Flegg said the building would have a mix of people who have experienced chronic homelessness and low to moderate income earners who work or study in the local area.

“Tenants will have access to onsite services to help them sustain their tenancies and address the issues that may have contributed to their homelessness,” he said.

“The Common Ground supportive housing model shows that tenants are more likely to maintain their tenancies, and stay in their homes, if they can access things like medical or mental health services or financial training.”

Dr Flegg said one of the key aspects to the Common Ground model was delivering affordable housing through a partnership approach.

“Both the Australian and Queensland Governments contributed to this project, along with key partners including Grocon, Common Ground Queensland Ltd and Micah Projects Inc.,” he said.

“The Commonwealth Government provided $46 million for the land and building, with additional capital funding from the Queensland Government.

“The Queensland Government will also fund the tenancy and property management, and on-site support services, to 2013 through the joint Commonwealth-State National Partnership Agreement for Homelessness.

“Common Ground Queensland will be the property and tenancy manager, while Micah Projects will provide the on-site services.”

[ENDS] 29 August 2012

Media contact: Graeme Hallett 0408 763 671