Beach cabins turned into affordable housing in Queensland
Eighty-five beach cabins are being turned into social housing as part of the Queensland government’s plans to provide thousands more affordable homes across the state.
EIGHTY-FIVE beach cabins are being turned into social and affordable housing in Queensland.
The state government has tapped into its $1bn Housing Investment Fund to buy and convert cabins in Gladstone.
Housing minister Meaghan Scanlon said the government purchased Barney Beach Accommodation in Gladstone for long-term housing needs.
It is part of the Federal Government’s Housing Accord to deliver one million more homes including 53,500 for social housing needs.
“We make no apologies for using the Housing Investment Fund to deliver more homes faster while we build,” Ms Scanlon said.
“Our Homes for Queenslanders plan is pulling every lever possible, whether that’s buying former retirement villages, accommodation parks and hotels; building modular homes and supporting the Federal Government’s Help to Buy shared equity scheme.”
The Friend St project is in partnership with affordable housing administrator Roseberry Community Services.
The initiative will see 20 social housing units made available and 65 affordable homes 80 metres from Gladstone’s only beach.
News of the development comes on the back of several similar initiatives in Toowoomba and Newtown.
In Toowoomba, 13 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units in Newtown have been built with accessibility standards that make them suitable for seniors and people with a disability.
Another complex with 14 social homes in Newtown is expected to wrap up works in coming weeks.
Work on a 23-home project in partnership between the government and Salvation Army is also underway.
