Media Release by Senator the Hon Mark Arbib

New housing project for vulnerable South Australians

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
  • Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation Senator for South Australia

Vulnerable people living in Goolwa are set to benefit from the opening of a housing project delivered by the Gillard Government.

Senator for South Australia Penny Wong welcomed the opening of six new homes at River Breeze Estate in Goolwa.

“The Gillard Government recognises that for many South Australian families, finding affordable housing can be a difficult and daunting task,” Senator Wong said.

“That’s why we’re acting to support local projects – such as the development at Goolwa – that will ease the burden on families looking for a secure place to live.

“These quality homes will provide long-term accommodation for people in the community living with disabilities or on low incomes.”

Senator Arbib said more than 1,900 homes would be built under the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing, which will house around 3000 Australians.

“Under the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing, we have delivered more than 1,300 dwellings with more than half tenanted by people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” Senator Arbib said.

“The National Partnerships Agreement will increase the supply of social housing through new construction while helping to reduce homelessness and improve outcomes for homeless and Indigenous Australians.

“In South Australia, $29.8 million has been invested under the National Partnership Agreement on Social Housing for 140 dwellings.”

Federal Minister for Communities Tony Burke said the National Rental Affordability Scheme was an excellent example of governments at all levels working with the community to improve affordability in the rental sector.

“In South Australia alone, 1,842 affordable rental homes have been approved for development under the Scheme, with 100 of these located in the local Goolwa region,” Minister Burke said.

“These quality apartments were built as part of the Gillard Government’s national commitment to making housing affordable again which will see the construction of up to 50,000 rental homes for low and moderate income households.”