Partnership boosts affordable housing stock on the Sunshine Coast

The Palaszczuk Government’s innovative partnership with leading community housing provider, Churches of Christ Housing Services, will commence construction of forty new affordable homes for seniors in Caloundra.  

Turning the sod today on the new construction, Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government would contribute up to $8.9 million to the $18.4 million project, creating 50 jobs in the local building and construction industry, delivering our plan for economic recovery from COVID-19.   

“This project is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to provide more affordable homes as part of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 and the recently announced Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025,” Minister Enoch said.

“Partnering with community housing providers is an integral element of our new housing action plan which is backed by a $1.9 billion investment over 4 years and the establishment of a $1 billion Housing Investment Fund.

"This is the largest concentrated investment in social housing in Queensland’s history.

“The Palaszczuk Government's on-going partnership with Churches of Christ Housing Services Limited ensures safe, secure and sustainable housing for vulnerable Queenslanders.  

“This project will not only support our states seniors looking to downsize to easy-to-maintain apartments, but will also provide a stable place to live for those in need.”

Churches of Christ in Queensland Chief Executive Officer Gary Edwards said the organisation is grateful for the opportunity to embark on this project and to provide well designed master planned communities.

“This development will be a valued part of our Little Mountain Campus, which we proudly opened in 2019,” he said.

“The addition of affordable housing to the campus responds to community need and complements our commitment to building supportive integrated communities that offer innovative and holistic care, promote health and wellbeing, and allow residents to age-in-place.

“We are proud to be able to deliver this with the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy.”

Churches of Christ Housing Services General Manager Alicia Follent said, “We will continue to create vibrant and inclusive communities with people at the heart, enabling more Queenslanders to have access to affordable and sustainable housing.”

Minister Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in affordable housing was part of its commitment to commence 7,400 new social and affordable homes over the next four years.

“Through Partnering for Growth, we are delivering individualised housing options, increasing the supply of social and affordable housing while providing the sector with a streamlined operating framework,” Ms Enoch said.

“A key component of this initiative is to partner with community housing providers to maximise opportunities and remove long-standing barriers to pursue growth.

“Our Government’s continued investment in affordable housing construction offers those at risk of homelessness with a safe secure place to live while creating jobs for thousands of tradies and workers."

More information about Partnering for Growth is available at https://www.chde.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/partnering-growth

ENDS

Media contact: Debbie Turner 0437 859 987