Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

National Rental Affordability Scheme supporting new housing in Redbank

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Bernie Ripoll MP, Member for Oxley

Tanya Plibersek and Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll today officially opened 17 new National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) homes in Redbank.

The 17 three-bedroom detached houses are part of the successful Queensland Affordable Housing Consortium bid for funding under Round One of the Scheme.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme will help stimulate the construction of up to 50,000 new affordable rental properties across Australia by 2012.

“Through the National Rental Affordability Scheme, these 17 three-bedroom houses will be rented out at 25 per cent below market rate, enabling low to moderate income families to save up to $85 each week ” Ms Plibersek said.

“The Rudd Government is encouraged by the ongoing strong interest in this innovative new scheme, which offers a new investment class in Australia by providing annual incentives of $8000 per home for a 10 year period.

“This is a great result for households on low to moderate incomes, including key workers, who meet the eligibility requirements to rent these affordable rental homes.”

Mr Ripoll said: “These 17 dwellings are just some of the 707 homes approved in Queensland so far under the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

“These new homes are ideally located in the south western growth corridor between Brisbane and Ipswich and are close to transport, a large shopping centre and employment opportunities,” Mr Ripoll said.

“It’s important to note that by providing incentives to stimulate the supply of new rental homes, the Rudd Government is supporting jobs in the construction and building industries at a time when we need them most.”

“The NRAS is a great example of the State and Commonwealth governments working together to help the Queensland construction industry during these tough global economic times.”

The Queensland Affordable Housing Consortium – an independent non-profit charitable company – has been working through the One Social Housing Register from the Queensland Government to select eligible tenants for these dwellings.