Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

New affordable housing for seniors and people with a disability in Lismore

Joint Media Release with:

  • Janelle Saffin MP, Member for Page

Tanya Plibersek, Member for Page Janelle Saffin and Baptist Community Services CEO Dr June Heinrich today inspected the site of a project in Lismore that will deliver 26 new homes for seniors and people with a disability.

The $5 million project has been developed by Baptist Community Services (BCS) as part of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

The proposed development will include 13 one bedroom and 13 two bedroom townhouses and is expected to be completed by mid 2011.

Ms Plibersek said the new homes would be rented at 20 per cent below market rate.

“This is a great result for seniors and people with disability on low to moderate incomes, who meet the eligibility requirements to rent these affordable new homes.

“So far, incentives have been awarded to deliver nearly 10,800 new homes around Australia under the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

“Each home has to be newly constructed, which means that the Scheme is also supporting jobs for builders, tradespeople and their suppliers,” Ms Plibersek said.

Ms Saffin said that she was delighted that the National Rental Affordability Scheme would deliver 26 affordable homes for seniors and people with a disability in Lismore.

“The new homes will be accessible for seniors and people with a disability and will be close to services like Lismore Base Hospital and Lismore Square Shopping Centre.

“I congratulate Baptist Community Services for this terrific new development and for their investment in the Lismore community,” Ms Saffin said.

Dr Heinrich said that BCS had a long history of providing people living with disadvantage with quality supported accommodation as well as relevant practical services.

“We are looking forward to expanding our care in the Northern Rivers area,” Dr Heinrich said.

The Australian Government is investing more than $1 billion in the National Rental Affordability Scheme over the next four years.

The Scheme will deliver 50,000 new homes across Australia by 2012, which will be rented out at a minimum 20 per cent below market rate.