Up to 181 social, affordable homes will be built across Tasmania this year, supported by $33 million in funding from the Federal Government’s National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.
The funding, comprising $31 million in loans and a $1.92 million grant, will help community housing provider Housing Choices Tasmania build homes across the state.
Sixteen homes have already been completed in Somerset, with a further 165 to be built in Shorewell Park, Somerset, West Ulverstone, Wynyard, Latrobe and East Devonport throughout 2023.
Minister for Housing Julie Collins said funding more social and affordable homes was a key part of the Albanese Government’s housing plans, which includes securing future funding through the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.
“Safe and affordable housing is central to the security and dignity of Australians,” Minister Collins said.
“That’s why the Albanese Government has an ambitious housing reform agenda to ensure more Australians have a place to call home.
“This kind of collaboration is what we’re trying to achieve through our strategy for the sector.
“We won’t waste a day in 2023 working to deliver this agenda.”
The Federal Government’s contribution has been complemented by grant funding from the Tasmanian Government.
The Albanese Government’s housing reform agenda includes:
- Widening the remit of the National Housing Infrastructure Facility, making up to $575 million available to invest in social and affordable housing;
- An interim National Housing Supply and Affordability Council which commenced on 1 January to start delivering advice to Government, and is intended to operate until the Council is established permanently in legislation;
- A $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund which will build 30,000 new social and affordable housing properties in its first five years;
- A new National Housing Accord, a shared ambition to build one million new well-located homes over five years from 2024; and
- $350 million in additional Federal funding to deliver 10,000 affordable homes over five years from 2024 as part of the Accord.