• Construction has started on an accessible social housing project in Ipswich
• The apartment complex will feature 13 one-bedroom apartments designed for older people and those with higher mobility needs
• The $6.5 million project will support around 21 construction jobs

Construction has started on an accessible new social housing project in Ipswich, as the Queensland Government’s Big Build continues to deliver more social homes across the state.

The West Ipswich development will feature 13 one-bedroom apartments, designed to

Livable Housing Design Guidelines Gold and Platinum standards to cater for older people and those with higher mobility needs.

The $6.5 million development, is being delivered through the QuickStarts Qld program and will support around 21 full-time equivalent construction jobs

Construction is forecast to be completed by late 2024.

The Queensland Government has committed a record investment of $6 billion in social and affordable housing and housing and homelessness support since 2015, the largest investment in Queensland history.

This will support the commencement of more than 13,500 new social and affordable homes by mid-2027.

As part of the 2023-24 State Budget, the Queensland Government announced an additional $322.2 million to expand the QuickStarts Qld Program. This will increase the total number of social homes commenced under QuickStarts Qld by 500, bringing the target to 3,265 social housing commencements by 30 June 2025. 

As at 30 September 2023, under QuickStarts Qld, contracts have been awarded for the commencement of 195 homes in the Ipswich region. Of these, 15 have been delivered.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ipswich, Jennifer Howard MP:

"The stability of a place to call home makes a big difference in so many aspects of people’s lives. It’s great this complex is so close to shops, schools, medical facilities and public transport, which are vital for everyday living,’’ he said.

“It’s also vital we recognise the importance of enabling our loved ones stay in their local area as they downsize or their needs change.

“This type of housing can help older locals live independently, for longer, in the neighbourhood they’ve always called home.

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“Everyone deserves the security of a safe, stable roof over their head which is why our record $6 billion investment in social and affordable housing and housing and homeless supports is designed to cater for a range of needs across our community, including our seniors and people living with disabilities.

“This is important, as we know 49 per cent of households living in government-managed social housing identified at least one person as having a disability. And, almost 46.5 per cent of applicants on the Social Housing Register identify as being a person with a disability.

“Our aim is for 50 per cent of new social housing to be built to the Livable Housing Design Guidelines gold and platinum standards – a target we exceeded in 2020-21 and 2021-22, with an average of 70 per cent of new construction meeting gold and platinum standards.

“Under these guidelines, gold-level dwellings provide features such as level thresholds and showers, wider doorways and hallways and provision for grab rails, making them suitable for people with varying levels of mobility.

“Platinum-level dwellings include additional clearances, making them particularly suitable for people who mobilise in wheelchairs.”

Quotes attributable to Ms Deb Chilton, artist, disability advocate and Department of Housing client:

“I’m fiercely independent. As an Ipswich local born and bred, it’s fantastic that I’ve been able to live close to my family, friends and community,’’ says Ms Chilton, a long-time community worker and behavioural science graduate.

“My home is perfectly accessible to the community I have – I can wheel into town, wheel to the art supply shop, I can get to the community art gallery and my art group, and I can head to the movies.

“That’s really important – convenient access to public transport, shops, medical facilities and the like can be the difference between being stuck at home and being able to be part of the community,’’ she said.

“Affordable, accessible social housing is about enabling people with disabilities to make the everyday choices that everyone makes. I often say, it’s about me living a life that reflects the same life that everybody lives. Why should my life look different just because I have a disability?”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact their local Housing Service Centre during business hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

ENDS

Media contact – Francis Dela Cruz 0420 592 078