Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2011-05-04
Can you please outline to the House how the Henderson government is investing in public and affordable housing for the benefit of Territorians in Budget 2011-12?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. We are investing $530m for more public affordable housing and accommodation across the Territory. Some of the highlights include: a continuation of the $49m to build 150 new public housing homes over three years; $11.6m to complete construction of the 40 seniors units at Bellamack; $15.1m for repairs and refurbishments to existing public housing dwellings; $9.4m to commence a targeted upgrade program on urban public housing dwellings across the Territory; $14.1m to complete 186 social dwellings as part of the $60m nation building plan; and $1m to redevelop old public housing unit complexes.
We will continue to ensure that 15% of all government land release is set aside for affordable and social housing. We have also established the affordable rental housing company. In coming years, I look forward to them developing their asset base and operations in the Northern Territory.
Regarding home ownership, since July 2004 1400 families have been helped to purchase their own home. Budget 2011-12 sees Homestart NT income and purchase price limits increase. The income limits are now $80 000 for a single person; $97 500 for a couple; and a further $7500 for each dependant in a household to a maximum income of $127 500 for a household of six or more. I have detailed in this House before what those income limits are across the Territory and how they have been increased - they are certainly significant increases.
For those who are less fortunate, supported accommodation: there is $1.22m for the 150-bed Alice Springs short-term accommodation visitor park – and I have had very positive feedback about that, and the Minister for Central Australia has also reported to me on that; $1.7m for a tenancy sustainability program across the Territory; again in Alice Springs, just over $1m for the Percy Court transitional village to house up to 70 people; and Crerar Road, Berrimah - I have been to that facility a number of times – has $1.22m to operate transitional accommodation.
We are endeavouring to address housing issues across the Territory. The need is great. I mentioned Indigenous housing before in response to the member for Macdonnell’s question. We will continue to work hard to try to alleviate the pressures on housing right across all sectors in the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. We are investing $530m for more public affordable housing and accommodation across the Territory. Some of the highlights include: a continuation of the $49m to build 150 new public housing homes over three years; $11.6m to complete construction of the 40 seniors units at Bellamack; $15.1m for repairs and refurbishments to existing public housing dwellings; $9.4m to commence a targeted upgrade program on urban public housing dwellings across the Territory; $14.1m to complete 186 social dwellings as part of the $60m nation building plan; and $1m to redevelop old public housing unit complexes.
We will continue to ensure that 15% of all government land release is set aside for affordable and social housing. We have also established the affordable rental housing company. In coming years, I look forward to them developing their asset base and operations in the Northern Territory.
Regarding home ownership, since July 2004 1400 families have been helped to purchase their own home. Budget 2011-12 sees Homestart NT income and purchase price limits increase. The income limits are now $80 000 for a single person; $97 500 for a couple; and a further $7500 for each dependant in a household to a maximum income of $127 500 for a household of six or more. I have detailed in this House before what those income limits are across the Territory and how they have been increased - they are certainly significant increases.
For those who are less fortunate, supported accommodation: there is $1.22m for the 150-bed Alice Springs short-term accommodation visitor park – and I have had very positive feedback about that, and the Minister for Central Australia has also reported to me on that; $1.7m for a tenancy sustainability program across the Territory; again in Alice Springs, just over $1m for the Percy Court transitional village to house up to 70 people; and Crerar Road, Berrimah - I have been to that facility a number of times – has $1.22m to operate transitional accommodation.
We are endeavouring to address housing issues across the Territory. The need is great. I mentioned Indigenous housing before in response to the member for Macdonnell’s question. We will continue to work hard to try to alleviate the pressures on housing right across all sectors in the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016