Page 1059 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
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Through the 2020-21 budget the ACT government will continue our plan to grow and renew public housing, investing $160 million over six years to continue the program to better meet the needs of current and future housing tenants. This plan supports the work under the ACT Housing strategy and its goal to strengthen social housing assistance by delivering safe and affordable housing to support Canberrans who need a home, a place that allows them to have hopes and aspirations for a happy life.
Last year I announced the expansion of Growing and Renewing Public Housing, which provides longer term economic stimulus through the allocation of an additional $32 million in land and $20 million to expand the program for a sixth year, boosting the growth target to 260 properties and a renewal of 1,000 homes. The parliamentary and governing agreement has committed to a further expansion of the Growing and Renewing Public Housing program to deliver an additional 140 new public housing dwellings.
The ACT government is also progressing the construction of a second Common Ground accommodation complex in Dickson to provide permanent supportive housing and affordable rental for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The Common Ground Dickson development will include 40 residential units with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom dwellings, as well as communal areas, community spaces, on-site support services and the provision for a social enterprise business.
Construction commenced in October 2020 by Richard Crookes Constructions and it is progressing well. The basement structure and ground floor slab are complete, and work is progressing on the first floor suspended slab. It is anticipated that construction will be completed by late 2021, and I cannot wait to meet the individuals who will soon call Dickson Common Ground home.
We are working across government on projects to support the service and accommodation needs of low-income and disadvantaged people, including long-term support, mental health accommodation, and supported accommodation options for the Justice Housing program and important programs that tackle the drivers of homelessness, particularly for those people exiting institutions.
The ACT government is progressing the construction of a third dedicated culturally appropriate accommodation building for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in Dickson. That will build on the success of two previous developments, working closely with the elected body.
The Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme will see energy efficient heaters and hot water systems installed in Housing ACT properties to assist with the living expenses of Canberrans most in need of support and will assist in reducing use of gas appliances.
I remind the Assembly that the ACT has the highest per capita rate of public housing in the country and we will continue to maintain that. Our expenditure on public housing is one of the highest with $1 billion over 10 years to expand and renew our public housing stock.
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