Media Release by Senator the Hon Mark Arbib

125 New Social Houses in Western Sydney

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Jason Clare MP, Member for Blaxland

Vulnerable Australians in Western Sydney will now have a place to call home thanks to $29.6 million from the Australian Government for 125 new social housing dwellings opened today.

Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib and Member for Blaxland Jason Clare today welcomed the opening of the new developments in Fairfield East, which will offer safe and secure homes for people in need.

“These developments will provide a stable home for seniors, people with disabilities and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” Mr Clare said.

“These 125 dwellings, located across seven Fairfield East sites, all feature universal design principles and at least a six-star energy rating making it environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

“The community supported initiative will deliver much needed homes for Fairfield with each of these projects located in Bligh Street, Tangerine Street, Campbell Street, Mandarin Street, Jean Street and Montrose Avenue.

“I would like to thank St George Community Housing for their involvement in the development and management of these housing developments.

“Through these developments, we are helping to reduce homelessness, and are giving vulnerable people in Sydney’s west a better future.”

Senator Arbib said the developments were funded through the Australian Government’s Social Housing Initiative, designed to assist low income Australians who are homeless or struggling in the private rental market.

“The Australian Government’s $5.6 billion investment under the Social Housing Initiative represents the single largest investment in social housing ever undertaken by an Australian Government,” Senator Arbib said.

“The new developments will give peace of mind to some of the most vulnerable people in Fairfield in need of a home.

“Under the Social Housing Initiative, around 19,600 homes are being constructed across the nation and will be completed by June 2012 – over 16,500 of these have already been completed.

“In New South Wales, more than 5900 of the over 6300 new homes we have committed funding to have been completed under the Social Housing Initiative.

“Through the Initiative, the Australian Government has supported more than 15,000 jobs nationally, and helped shield Australia from the recession that hit most other economies.”