Page 1533 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 14 May 2019
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At times the debate around this renewal program has been difficult. I acknowledge the contribution made by the Canberra community in the planning and consultation process over the last few years. In order to renew and build public housing in new areas there has been an ongoing conversation about how we can share some of our space in our great suburbs with vulnerable Canberrans in public housing and welcome them into the community.
It is important that we do not forget the experience of tenants in this renewal program. Relocated tenants were supported by considering their individual needs and preferences over the life of the program. Approximately 1,400 people have moved into new homes. For many people, moving home has provided the opportunity for a fresh start, while for others it has allowed them to move closer to family, friends or services they are linked in with.
I have heard many stories from tenants who have moved into their new homes about the significant improvement to their lives and overall wellbeing this has made. The program has empowered tenants to take hold of opportunities and take pride in homes that better suits their needs. Some tenants have chosen to stay in an area they know, while other tenants have taken the opportunity to move to an area that is closer to their family or workplace.
As the current program nears its successful completion in June this year it does not mean the government will be slowing down its investment in public housing. This week I released the ACT housing strategy—growing and renewing public housing 2019-24. It provides the detail on the new $100 million investment and how we will continue to realign public housing to better suit the needs of current and future tenants.
The forward program of growth and renewal shifts gears; it changes the focus from divesting multi-unit complexes to renewing and growing our single and low density stock. It changes focus from building new public housing on predominantly vacant land to using Housing ACT’s existing land more efficiently.
But one thing will not change—that is putting tenants at the centre of all we do. To achieve the renewal target of 1,000 dwellings and growth target of at least 200 dwellings Housing ACT will demolish around 300 old dwellings that no longer meet the needs of our tenants but are in locations worth preserving. They may be located near shops, schools, services and transport. On these sites around 700 new dwellings will be constructed.
Renewing on existing sites will provide tenants with more choice about where they live and whether they relocate permanently to a new home or choose to return to their old neighbourhood. Housing ACT will also construct around 360 new dwellings on land available through the indicative land release program as part of our public housing targets.
There will be more class C adaptable homes, suitable for all tenants with a range of ages and abilities. There will be more two and four-bedroom homes and our overall number of three-bedroom homes will be reduced so that the homes built better match the family size and needs of tenants.
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