The ACT Government is continuing to deliver the housing Canberrans needs with construction complete on 12 new public housing homes in Molonglo.
The 12 new homes add to the 586 public housing homes that have been built and 170 that have been purchased as part of the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program (as at end May 2024).
Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Yvette Berry said these high-quality and energy efficient properties are a fantastic addition to public housing stock and will make fantastic homes.
"As we continue to grow the public housing portfolio the ACT Government will keep looking for innovative and cost-effective ways to deliver more public housing to those people who need it the most," said Minister Berry.
The 12 townhouses include eight 2-bedroom Class C adaptable homes, three 3-bedroom Class C adaptable homes, and one 2-bedroom Liveable Gold townhouse.
A Class-C adaptable rating is an Australian standard requiring wider doors and corridors, to ensure wheelchair users can easily navigate the homes. The Class C adaptable homes can be more easily changed to accommodate people with a disability or older people by installing grab rails, kitchen and bathroom modifications and have no stairs either inside or outside.
The Liveable Gold standard is set by Liveable Housing Australia (LHA), a partnership between community and consumer groups, government and industry. Liveable homes have designs which include key features that make them easier and safer to use for all occupants, including people with disability, ageing Australians, people with temporary injuries, and families with young children.
A liveable home is designed to be easy to enter, navigate in and around, be capable of easy and cost-effective adaptation, and be responsive to the changing needs of residents to age in place.
The Liveable Gold attribution means there are more generous dimensions in the design of the home, to ensure adaptability in hallways, doorways, pathways and additional adaptable elements in areas such as the kitchen and bedroom to ensure space is provided for accessibility.
"This 12 townhouses in this development all have a 6.1-star energy rating, attached garages, and are close to public transport and playgrounds, which I hope will provide a great quality of life for tenants," said Minister Berry.
"I thank our builders CapCorp for their perseverance in delivering this housing on time in a difficult time for the construction industry."
