Media Release by Senator the Hon Mark Arbib

21 new apartments for vulnerable South Australians

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Member for Kingston

Vulnerable people living in the Adelaide suburb of Christie Downs are set to benefit from the opening today of a housing project delivered under the Australian Government’s national commitment to housing affordability and homelessness.

Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth attended the opening of the Anniversary Apartments in Christie Downs.

“These quality apartments are one of many developments across the nation that will help to play a part in addressing housing affordability and homelessness,” Ms Rishworth said.

“The 21 apartment facility consists of 12 three-bedroom and nine two-bedroom dwellings. All of the apartments have been designed to six star energy efficiency standards.”

Federal Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib said around 1,900 homes would be built under the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing, which will house around 3000 Australians.

 “Under the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing, around 1,240 dwellings have been completed with over half tenanted by people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” Senator Arbib said.

“The National Partnership Agreement will increase the supply of social housing through new construction while helping to reduce homelessness and improve outcomes for homeless and Indigenous Australians.

“In South Australia, $29.8 million has been invested under the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing for 140 dwellings, with 119 under construction at 31 March 2011.”

Ms Rishworth said the Australian Government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme is an excellent example of all levels of government working together to improve affordability in the rental sector.

“In South Australia alone, 1,356 affordable rental homes have been approved for development under the Scheme, with 156 of these located here in the South,” Ms Rishworth said.

“These quality apartments were built as part of the Australian Government’s national commitment to making housing affordable which will see the construction of 50,000 rental homes for low income Australians.”