YESTERDAY (December 20) the ACT government’s $550 million public housing program provided 25 new units in Coombs to Housing ACT. 

Economic development director-general David Dawes says that tenants would soon move into the two-storey development of two-bedroom units, next to the local centre and close to bus routes and a primary school.

Some will be relocated from the old Red Hill public housing precinct scheduled for demolition next year, while others will be from the ACT Housing waiting list.

Mr Dawes says that the development, features landscaped courtyards and open spaces. 

“All units have wide doorways and corridors for accessibility and to allow ageing in place, and four are specifically adapted for people with disabilities. Each unit has a dedicated car-parking space, and there is plenty of visitor parking,” Dawes says.

“The new accommodation is more energy efficient and costs less to maintain. Most importantly, it will help to integrate tenants into their new communities and improve their health, education and employment opportunities.”

According to Dawes the public housing renewal program is on target, with hopes to provide 1288 new public housing dwellings by 2019.

Already a 200 has been given to Housing ACT, with a further 334 under contract. Looking forward, 483 are in planning stages, and the Taskforce has purchased another 280 from private owners.

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