COMPLETION OF SOCIAL HOUSING DELIVERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR TENANTS

A partnership between Centacare Evolve Housing, CatholicCare Tasmania, St Joseph Affordable Homes, and the Tasmanian Government has delivered nine brand new social housing dwellings in the historic town of Richmond.

Officially opened on 10 January by Minister for Development, Construction and Housing Michael Ferguson, the dwellings have been allocated to eligible people on the public housing register. The tenants are expected to move into the new units in the next two weeks.

“By working with the community housing partners and the building industry we are currently averaging completion of more than one new house per day,” Mr Ferguson said.

“There will always be more we can all do to reduce homelessness and provide housing support … ultimately, increasing supply is the only way to address higher house prices and to get more Tasmanians into suitable homes – which is why the Tasmanian Government is investing record amounts into this sector.”

CEO of Centacare Evolve Housing Ben Wilson said the development was completed on land owned by CatholicCare Tasmania, built by tradespeople and apprentices employed through Tasmania’s first building and construction social enterprise St Joseph Affordable Homes, and with state government funding of $1.215m; provided under the Community Housing Grant Program Extension III.

“Centacare Evolve Housing also invested funds to the tune of $0.72m, bringing the total cost of construction to $1.93m,” Mr Wilson said.

“While partnerships such as this bring economic benefits to local suppliers and businesses, our focus is always about the social outcomes of these projects.

“We are cognisant of the positive outcomes for tenants that safe, secure shelter and ongoing support mechanisms provide – this is what drives our organisation.”

Mr Wilson said it was particularly pleasing to see apprentices employed by the Catholic Church’s social enterprise St Joseph Affordable Homes, work on the construction of the new homes at Richmond.

“St Joseph Affordable Homes employs 17 apprentices, many of whom have worked on this new build at Richmond. In December 2021, we welcomed an additional six new apprentices who had completed a mentoring and coaching program offered through Centacare Evolve Housing.”

Mr Wilson said plans were well underway to increase the total number of apprentices to 44.

L-R: Apprentice Electrician Iris Rimmer_Minister for Development, Construction and Housing Michael Ferguson_CEO Centacare Evolve Housing Ben Wilson.
L-R: Apprentice Electrician Iris Rimmer_Minister for Development, Construction and Housing Michael Ferguson_CEO Centacare Evolve Housing Ben Wilson.