83 new affordable rental homes in Adelaide’s south

Tanya Plibersek and Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth today announced that the National Rental Affordability Scheme will deliver 83 new affordable rental homes in Adelaide’s southern suburbs

Ms Plibersek and Ms Rishworth met with Graham Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Junction Community Services today to discuss the new housing.

The mix of studio apartments, two and three bedroom townhouses and three bedroom houses will be built in Sheidow Park, Trott Park, Christie Downs, Noarlunga Downs, Seaford Meadows, Aldinga, and Yankalilla by 2011.

Ms Plibersek said that the National Rental Affordability Scheme was created to increase the supply of affordable housing low and moderate income earners.

“The Scheme will help to build up to 50,000 new affordable rental properties across Australia by 2012,

“Homes are rented out for at least 20 per cent below market rate to tenants who meet income eligibility requirements – including key workers, families, people with a disability and older people.

“Successful applicants receive an annual incentive of at least $8,672 for each approved dwelling, indexed annually to the rental component of the CPI for ten years” Ms Plibersek said.

Ms Rishworth said the project will give extra help to people on low to moderate incomes, such as child care workers and retail staff, that facing rising rents.

“The shortage of affordable rental homes is a major concern in this area and I am pleased that the Rudd Government is taking action to address the problem.

“The construction work will also provide jobs for local builders and tradespeople,” Ms Rishworth said.

Southern Junction Community Services is a not-for-profit organisation based in southern Adelaide, which provides disadvantaged families and marginalised young people with housing and relationship support services.

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