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Not-for-profit Gold Coast Housing Company’s (GCHC) affordable property development in Ashmore has been given the green light, with the Gold Coast City Council and a local resident contributing approximately $1.8 million towards the project.

Council has given the six-unit precinct development approval and approximately $1.5 million in funding, while Gold Coast resident Maree Alexanderson has donated her $330,000 property to GCHC to increase the size of the development site.

The project, which will be built along Southport-Nerang Road, will offer much-needed affordable housing for low and moderate income earners on the Gold Coast.

GCHC CEO Jason Cubit says the development is a fantastic example of the Gold Coast’s community spirit at work.

“The collaboration between our charity, the local council and a very generous resident has resulted in a development which will help numerous individuals and families who find it difficult to afford a safe and comfortable home,” Mr Cubit said.

“Unfortunately the reality is that it’s not only the elderly or unemployed who are struggling to afford adequate accommodation in our city.

“The Gold Coast’s comparatively high purchase and rental prices, combined with the current economic climate means we are now seeing a growing number of working residents seeking out more affordable homes.

“These people receive low wages and many work in key industries such as hospitality and tourism, so assisting them to continue to live on the Coast is helping our economy at the same time.

Gold Coast City Council Mayor Ron Clarke says that in addition to the $1.5m direct funding the Ashmore development was also the latest in a series of projects to benefit from local incentives to deliver more affordable housing.

 

Council has provided over $1m to not-for-profit affordable housing providers through financial incentives since making them available almost two years ago.

 

“I am delighted to see Council’s funding and the work put into establishing the Gold Coast Housing Company come to fruition,’’  Cr Clarke said.

“Affordable housing is a key priority for Council under its Bold Future Vision of a city for all.

 

We continue to work with a range of partners to expand the availability of affordable housing for our low income earners facing housing stress, particularly in these uncertain economic times.”

 

For many years, Ms Alexanderson has privately assisted a family with poor health and low income by offering reduced rent on another of her properties.

 

She says she jumped at the opportunity to partner with GCHC and take her dream of providing affordable housing to the next level.

 

“I believe having a safe, comfortable home free from financial pressure is the key to good parenting and family harmony, which is why I’m so involved in the advocacy for increased affordable housing,” Ms Alexanderson said.

 

“I originally planned to build two units on the Southport-Nerang  Road property, but I wasn’t sure how best to develop it so that it could be offered as an alternative for struggling families.

 

 “GCHC’s plan to create affordable housing was a perfect fit with my own ambitions, and the company’s decade of experience in tenancy management was also a major drawcard.

 

“I look forward to seeing the residents moving into their new homes, and enjoying their new life.”

 

The Southport-Nerang Road project is expected to commence construction early 2010 and is scheduled for completion by mid next year.

 

When complete, the development will comprise five two bedroom units and one three bedroom adaptable unit suitable for a family with a child with a disability.

 

“Although the completion of this project will be a fantastic achievement, there is still lots more that needs to be done to improve housing affordability on the Gold Coast and throughout Queensland,” Mr Cubit said.

 

“Statistics show more than 22,000 Gold Coast households are currently experiencing housing stress, meaning they are low income workers paying more than one third of their wage towards accommodation.

 

“To this end, GCHC is planning to roll out a number of affordable developments in the region.”

 

Gold Coast Housing Company is a not-for-profit housing provider formed in 2007 following the merger of Gold Coast Community Housing Association and Gold Coast Vision Housing, both established since 1997.