Palaszczuk Government delivers new social housing in Townsville

• New social housing projects to accommodate 16 Townsville families now complete
• The social housing projects have been delivered in partnership with Yumba-Meta
• Two more projects will be constructed in partnership with Yumba-Meta later this year, delivering a further 16 social housing units

Sixteen Townsville families now have a new place to call home with the completion of multiple new social housing dwellings across the city.

The new social housing builds include seven three-bedroom homes in Condon, Currajong and Heatley, along with nine two-bedroom homes in Vincent, Kirwan, Mount Louisa, Heatley and Wulguru.

The 16 new social housing builds are the result of a partnership between the Palaszczuk Government and First Nations community housing provider Yumba-Meta.

Construction will soon commence on another two developments in the suburb of Rasmussen to create 16 additional social housing units for Townsville residents.

These projects will include 12 one-bedroom homes and two duplexes to provide housing for 12 singles or couples without children, plus a further four families. Construction is due to commence on these projects within months.

In total, the State Government is delivering 32 new social housing units in partnership with Yumba-Meta, representing over $14 million worth of investment - including a State Government contribution of more than $9.4 million.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch:
“We’re continuing to partner with community housing providers right across Queensland, including Yumba-Meta in North Queensland, to house more vulnerable Queenslanders sooner.

“In Townsville, this partnership has already delivered 16 properties, with another 16 social homes starting construction soon.

“These are just some of the many social homes we’ve already delivered in the region, with more on the way.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:
“I’m proud to be part of a government that delivers for Townsville on social housing.

“The 16 new social housing properties now coming online are going to make a massive difference to the lives of the families involved.

“Through our QuickStarts Queensland program, we will commence 237 new social homes in North Queensland, including in Townsville, by 2025.

“This represents an investment of $74.2 million, supporting more than 235 full-time equivalent jobs.

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to invest in more social and affordable housing in Townsville to help address local housing pressures.”

Quotes attributable to Yumba-Meta Limited CEO, Dushy Thangiah:
“We finished one last month and people are already in that home.”

“We’ve housed people who had a job but were about to lose it because they didn’t have a house to stay in, so this makes a huge difference.”

“Honestly, they’re so happy. Tenants often burst into tears when they see the house for the first time. They cannot believe it, and that’s such a nice feeling for us.”

ENDS

Media contact – Pema Bastin 0422 655 582