THE Queensland government is delivering 40 new social homes for Ipswich seniors wanting to downsize to smaller, more manageable accommodation.
The new homes are currently being built in Basin Pocket and consist of 34 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.
The project will also feature a community room, which will provide areas for social interaction between tenants, with plans to form a social committee.
As well as serving as more manageable housing for seniors, establishing the new accommodation will make larger homes available for families.
“Plenty of Queenslanders are looking to downsize as they get older, which is where builds like this step in for our older social housing tenants,” said Meaghan Scanlon, minister for housing.
“Not only does it give them a new place to call home that’s more manageable, it also frees up larger homes for families who might need more bedrooms and living space. Every Queenslander deserves a roof over their head.”
The project is being delivered in partnership between Palaszczuk Government and Churches of Christ Housing Services (CoCHS) and is part of the government’s record $5 billion investment into social and affordable housing – the largest in the state’s history – which will help deliver 13,500 homes
“To tackle the impact national housing pressures are having here, we need to work with industry to look at new solutions and ways of doing things – that includes building more social housing,” added Scanlon.
“These units are among almost 600 homes that are currently under construction across the state, and the more than 10 we’ve built per week since 2015.”
CoCHS also owns the land, which prior to demolition comprised of older dwellings at the end of their life cycle, which were also owned and managed by CoCHS and used as social housing.
“We are proud to continue to partner with the Queensland Government to deliver another project which will provide safe, secure and affordable housing for the people of Ipswich,” said Gus Taddeo, general manager at CoCHS.
“We’re really pleased to be getting this project underway. The new units will be a genuine asset in Ipswich for years to come.”
All social housing tenants were relocated to other social housing properties in the region prior to demolition.
“This development is greatly needed in Ipswich. For the residents that will soon call this place home, it’s close to public transport and nearby services, shops and the CBD,” said Jennifer Howard, Ipswich MP.
These homes follow the announcement of three other social housing projects underway in Ipswich, which will provide 30 new homes for Queenslanders upon completion.
Construction on the new homes is expected to support around 64 full time equivalent jobs.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2024.