The Canberra Southern Cross Club and Community Housing Canberra will construct 70 affordable rental homes as part of a 140-unit Build‑to‑Rent development in Phillip.

Describing the project, as “vital” to the Southern Cross Club’s long-term sustainability, president John Lewis said the Build-to-Rent development would be next to its Stellar Canberra health and wellness centre on Yamba Drive.

Construction will begin this year and is expected to be completed by 2026.

The development is supported by the ACT government’s $60 million Affordable Housing Project Fund to grow the supply of affordable rental properties in Canberra.

Since it was launched last year, the fund has agreed to support six projects, with the potential to provide about 280 new affordable rentals.

Separately, the government will also spend $500,000 on planning and design work for the proposed MyHome project in Curtin.

MyHome will provide long-term, supported residential accommodation and care for 15 people with an enduring mental illness. The project, which would be built on Uniting Church land, will be led by Wesley Mission working with MyHome in Canberra, a local community organisation, and Woden Valley Uniting Church.