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New affordable housing option for Wanniassa

Released 30/07/2008

A group house that delivers private and independent living to up to eight tenants was launched by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope today - a model of how traditional suburban housing can be adapted to help more Canberrans find affordable and appropriate accommodation.

Community Housing Canberra's latest innovative housing design in Wanniassa was an example of how creative thinking can lead to more affordable housing solutions for all, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said.

The project, delivered by Community Housing Canberra (CHC), is a four-bedroom, four-ensuite house that incorporates separate living areas to preserve the independence of the tenants, while providing for mutual support.

"By thinking outside the square, CHC has come up with a new housing design which may influence other investors to pursue options for Canberrans looking for something different and affordable," Mr Stanhope said.

The home has been designed to appear as a single dwelling, fitting well into the existing suburban streetscape. The house includes energy and water efficient features, including solar passive design, gas appliances, and low-maintenance, lawn-free gardens.

Under its Affordable Housing Action Plan the ACT Labor Government has provided CHC with a $50million revolving loan to boost the supply of affordable housing. CHC was also given a direct grant of three properties and 132 properties transferred from Housing ACT.

Over the coming decade CHC has agreed to deliver 500 extra rental dwellings, and 1,000 properties for sale.

Implementation of the 62 initiatives contained in the ACT Government's leading Affordable Housing Action Plan is well advanced. Already under the Plan, the Labor Government has:

• increased land supply to 3,400 in the 2007-08 financial year;
• adopted a rolling five-year land release program;
• streamlined land release processes, and introduced englobo land releases;
• mandated the delivery of house and land packages priced between $200,000 and $300,000, and introduced the OwnPlace initiative;
• provided more generous concessions, to help first home buyers into the housing market;
• introduced the land rent scheme to assist more low-income families buy their own home;
• invited institutional investors to increase the supply of private rental accommodation;
• boosted community housing with an equity injection of $40 million and a loan facility of $50 million;
• ensured that better and more targeted use is made of public housing - 87 per cent of new public housing allocations are made to applicants in urgent need compared to 38 per cent nationally;
• implemented measures to improve the energy efficiency in the public housing;
• released two demonstration projects to showcase affordable land and housing packages; and
• funded design awards to encourage excellence in affordable housing design and construction.

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