Common Ground Dickson is now complete, delivering 40 homes to provide long-term, supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness and includes affordable housing for low income Canberrans.
This development delivers on the ACT Government's commitment to increase affordable housing and grow the community housing sector.
Tenants of the new development have moved in and are enjoying the central location in Dickson, close to public transport and shops, health services, schools and other local amenities.
"We are so delighted with the unit and look forward to a new lease on life in the Common Ground Dickson community," says one resident of the new development.
The ACT Government has contracted Community Housing Canberra to provide services for the development. Community Housing Canberra will provide tenancy support and property management services and has partnered with YWCA Canberra to deliver a range of on-site services to support individual tenant needs including education, employment, financial support, and mental and physical health.
There has been a large philanthropic effort from the local community to welcome new tenants to the neighborhood, including the 174 quilts and blankets for new tenants created by the Thursday Friendship Quilters and donations from IKEA Canberra to furnish the units and common areas of the building.
As stated by Andrew Barr, Chief Minister:
The ACT Government is committed to investing in public, social and affordable housing to provide more and better housing options for all Canberrans. Common Ground Dickson provides a permanent housing solution and supports tenants to break the cycle of homelessness by co-locating safe, secure housing with support services and recreational spaces.
As stated by Yvette Berry, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development:
It is wonderful to see this project completed and tenants settling in and enjoying their new homes and the shared areas of the building." "Common Ground is about more than just putting a roof over someone's head, it is about building community and building real support for people in need."
Building on the first Common Ground in Gungahlin, projects like these are such an important part of providing more and better social housing and will increase the supply of affordable housing available in the ACT.
As stated by Rebecca Vassarotti, Minister for Housing and Homelessness Services:
Common Ground provides safe and secure accommodation alongside services, where tenants are supported to achieve their goals and live their best lives. It has a variety of communal spaces to support tenants build community, explore their interests and improve their health and wellbeing. I'm so excited to have another housing first initiative such as Common Ground supporting Canberrans into long-term housing.
As stated by Kate Dawson, Acting Chair of Common Ground Board:
The Common Ground Board are delighted Common Ground Dickson is welcoming tenants. Common Ground Dickson provides great opportunities for tenants to build a community and to connect with the local community. We would like to acknowledge the support of our community partners in creating a place to call home for our tenants.
As stated by Andrew Hannan, Chief Executive Officer at Community Housing Canberra:
CHC has welcomed Common Ground Dickson residents and is now actively supporting the creation of a sense of community amongst the households, whilst delivering tenancy and property management services. With a safe, secure and affordable home, and wrap around support services on-hand where needed, we look forward to helping enable each household member, adult or child, to thrive.
As stated by Cara Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer at YWCA Canberra:
YWCA Canberra is pleased to welcome Common Ground Dickson tenants and families into their new homes. The brand-new building, which provides 40 units, targets some of our key cohorts. We are excited to work in partnership with Community Housing Canberra, who will be overseeing the property and tenancy management for this necessary community project. This project will substantially impact our wider community by providing some relief to the chronic affordable housing shortage in Canberra.
As stated by Paul Eady, Market Manager at IKEA Canberra:
At IKEA, we believe in 'creating a better everyday life for the many people' to have a place to call home. This goes far beyond furniture and homewares as a business, we know we have an important role to play in supporting our local Canberra community in many ways. We're extremely proud to be partnering with Common Ground Dickson to help the residents' apartments feel like home.
