Construction of a $10.5 million development is underway to address an identified shortfall in affordable rental housing in the Moreton Bay region.
Community housing provider Churches of Christ Housing Services took on donated land on Duffield Road in Kallangur for the project, which was previously underutilised, with intentions of developing 50 quality, affordable, energy efficient and architecturally designed townhouses with a mix of one, two and three bedrooms.
The land was donated by local philanthropists Ian and Neva Handy.
Churches of Christ Housing Services General Manager Frances Paterson-Fleider said the donation by the Handy family is helping grow the supply of affordable housing for those on low to moderate incomes.
“The financial challenge of developing affordable housing is often about the cost of the land, rather than actual construction costs,” Ms Paterson-Fleider said.
“This project presented an opportunity to leverage private capital and philanthropic resources to achieve both financial and social returns, it is exemplar of philanthropists and the community sector partnering to address affordable living options in Queensland.”
Scheduled for completion in early October this year, the development will deliver what the church hopes to be highly liveable and affordable housing options.
The townhouses will primarily target key workers (employed across retail, financial and community services), seniors, people living with a disability and those on low to moderate incomes.
Residents will receive a discount on the prevailing market rents.
The townhouses are located 27 kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD. Residents will also have ready access to rail services following the recent completion of the Moreton Bay rail project.
“With 35 years experience in providing housing solutions, we recognise the importance of a diversity of housing options in close proximity to employment, shops, transport and parks to support a thriving community,” Ms Paterson-Fleider said.
“Our aim is to provide quality housing solutions in empowered communities, with the support of the Handy family we are achieving that here in Kallangur.”
Churches of Christ Housing Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Churches of Christ in Queensland, will provide the property and tenancy management for new the affordable living development.
Residents will be able to access Churches of Christ in Queensland’s community chaplaincy program and home and community care services.
Churches of Christ Housing Services hops to sweep affordable housing across South East Queensland, with a partnership with the Queensland Government that will additionally deliver 40 apartments for seniors in Acacia Ridge in February and two disability housing projects in the pipeline for Crows Nest.
By the end of 2017 the Queensland housing provider will deliver a further 95 homes for people on low to moderate incomes struggling in the private market.
