Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

“Freestyle” provides relief for renters in Holt

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister ACT

Federal  Tanya Plibersek and ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope today officially opened a new 24 home National Rental Affordability Scheme development in Holt.

The Holt 24 Freestyle Apartments project has been developed by CHC Affordable Housing and includes 16 one-bedroom apartments and eight two-bedroom apartments.

All tenants are low or moderate income earners, including a painter who received the keys to his new apartment at today’s official opening.

Ms Plibersek said that the Australian Government is investing more than $1 billion in the National Rental Affordability Scheme, which will deliver 50,000 new homes across Australia by 2012.

“Tenants of these new homes at Holt will pay 25 per cent below market rents – a saving of up to $93 a week in rent.

“Construction of the new homes has also provided a jobs boost to local builders and tradespeople,” Ms Plibersek said.

Mr Stanhope said the new homes at Holt are a great example of how the ACT and Australian Governments are working together to increase the supply of affordable rental housing in Canberra.

“These new homes are in a great location that is close to Kippax Shopping Centre and the new Kingsford Smith P-10 School.

“CHC Affordable Housing has been integral to the delivery of more affordable rental accommodation and affordable housing for sale across the Territory.

“The ACT Government has provided CHC with a $50 million revolving loan facility, as well as transferring 143 properties to the company, as part of our support for the community housing sector through the Affordable Housing Action Plan,” Mr Stanhope said.

The 24 new apartments at Holt are part of the total 145 affordable rental homes that CHC Affordable Housing is building across the ACT under the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

The project’s design had taken into consideration security, ease of maintenance, cost-effective building materials, access to sun and private open space, shading and weather protection, and internal storage, as well as accessibility and sustainability.