Federal Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek today announced that the National Rental Affordability Scheme was delivering 100 new affordable rental homes in Far North Queensland.

Ms Plibersek made the announcement while visiting some of the new homes at Edmonton with Federal Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour and State Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt.

Twenty-seven of the 100 new four-bedroom homes being delivered by Stony Creek Pty Ltd at Edmonton have been completed, with the remainder expected to be available for rent by early 2010.

Ms Plibersek said the new homes at Edmonton were a great example of how the National Rental Affordability Scheme is delivering affordable rental housing in areas of need.

“Around Australia so far, incentives have been awarded for more than 10,500 new homes under the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

“Each of these homes has to be newly constructed, which means that the Scheme is supporting jobs for builders, tradespeople and associated suppliers.

“Last month I launched the third round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme, which will deliver even more affordable rental homes in the future.”

Mr Turnour said that he was delighted that the National Rental Affordability Scheme was delivering 100 affordable rental homes in Far North Queensland.

“It is terrific that the Rudd Government is making such a significant investment in affordable rental housing in Far North Queensland,” Mr Turnour said.

“I am hopeful that more local developments will win incentives to build affordable rental homes under the third round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.”

Mr Pitt said that the shortage of affordable rental housing in Cairns had been a major problem for some time.

“I am grateful that the National Rental Affordability Scheme will increase the supply of affordable rental housing in this area,” Mr Pitt said. 

“The new work under the Scheme is also providing vital jobs for local tradespeople and their suppliers.”

The Australian Government is investing more than $1 billion in the National Rental Affordability Scheme over the next four years.

The Scheme will deliver 50,000 new homes across Australia by 2012, which will be rented out at a minimum 20 per cent below market rate.