Boosting supported housing supply in Tasmania
The Shorewell Park Building for Family Based Care opens today, providing more supported accommodation for Tasmanians who need it most.
The new complex of four single bedroom units, a two bedroom unit and a shared unit with a sleep over room was developed by the Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust (SAAT).
The complex is the latest development by SAAT, which originally used Federal Government grant funding of $6 million under the Hobart City Deal to build 27 units, with the last of the two bedroom units completed in June 2023.
Rental income from those 27 units is now being reinvested to help fund SAAT’s future housing projects, with an additional six units expected to be built every three years.
Across the state, the Albanese Labor Government is working to ensure more Tasmanians have a safe and affordable place to call home.
The Albanese Labor Government has already delivered $50 million through the Social Housing Accelerator, which will help to build more than 110 new social homes across Tasmania.
Earlier this month applications opened for the first round of funding for social and affordable homes under the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and the National Housing Accord.
This kickstarts the single biggest investment in social and affordable rental housing in more than a decade.
The HAFF and the Accord are important parts of the Albanese Labor Government’s ambitious housing reform agenda, supporting an ongoing pipeline of funding for new homes for Australians who need them.
Together, the investments will fund 40,000 social and affordable rental homes across the country, including a minimum of 1,200 homes for Tasmania through Housing Australia.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Julie Collins MP:
“The opening of these new homes demonstrate the power of governments and the community working together.
“Forging partnerships is critical to ensuring more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.
“This is exactly what the Albanese Labor Government will achieve through our new historic investments in housing including the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator.
“Our ambitious housing reform agenda is working across the board – with more help for homebuyers, more help for renters and more help for Tasmanians needing a safe place for the night.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart:
“The opening of this new complex is fantastic for the Braddon region.
“The new complex will be made available to people with disabilities, aged pensioners, homeless, disadvantaged youth as well as any community members with high needs to be able to access affordable accommodation.
“The Albanese Government is committed to address the issues Tasmanians are facing, bringing national leadership and a strong focus on stable and affordable housing”.
Quotes attributable to Bob Gordon, Chair of the SAAT:
“The design provides an optimal blend of independent and communal living with spaces to provide required support services, in a 6 star energy rated building that is easy to access, clean and cost efficient.
“The Trust is grateful to the Federal Government for its original $6 million Grant, which is generating returns reinvested in the current buildings.
“Also, the Trust is thankful to the Burnie Council for making the acquisition of this public land possible. If more councils could look at releasing excess public spaces for this purpose, it would go a long way to meeting the shortage in available affordable housing.”