Media Release by Senator the Hon Mark Arbib

Building opportunities for young people in Western Sydney

Joint Media Release with:

  • •The Hon Kate Ellis, Minister for Employment Participation
  • Ed Husic MP, Member for Chifley

Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib and Member for Chifley Ed Husic today visited the first house completed under the Affordable Housing for Life project in Shalvey, Western Sydney.

The project received $1.7 million from the Federal Government’s Jobs Fund program and is being run by Marist Youth Care to provide both housing and jobs for vulnerable young people in Western Sydney.

Senator Arbib said the project provides on-the-job training to build environmentally sustainable homes and a place to live.

“The Marist Youth Care Affordable Housing for Life project provides young people at risk of homelessness the training to construct affordable social housing. They then have the opportunity to move into the house they have just built,” Senator Arbib said.

“I remember turning the first sod on this project and it is fantastic to see the finished product.  I wish the new residents all the best as they take advantage of this opportunity.

“The project provides education and training that will benefit vulnerable young people now and create opportunities for them in the future, helping to break the cycle of homelessness.”

Mr Husic said the project was fantastic news for Shalvey and the employment opportunities it presented to disadvantaged youth in Western Sydney.

“This project provides much needed facilities to the local community while providing local job seekers training and job opportunities,” Mr Husic said.

“Not only do these young people have trade qualifications to show for all their hard work – they also have a brand new house to live in.

“This is a great project and another example of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing training and job opportunities in Western Sydney.”

Minister for Employment Participation Kate Ellis said this was a great example of the opportunities the Jobs Fund provides.

“So far the project has created seven jobs and provided eight paid trainees with a Certificate II in Building and Construction,” Ms Ellis said.

“The Gillard Government is committed to ensuring all Australians are provided with real job and training opportunities.”