Affordable housing: Redfern unit block to be built for low-paid workers
Cleaners, baristas, childcare worker and hospital workers who can’t afford skyrocketing inner city rents will now be able to live at a block of 160 affordable and social housing units being built in Redfern specifically for low income earners. DO YOU QUALIFY?
NSW
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An 18-storey high-rise in Redfern will be the site of affordable homes for low-paid workers vital to the city but locked out of living in central Sydney because of high prices.
Construction and development giant Lendlease has been announced as the builder for the block of 160 affordable and social housing units adjacent to Redfern train station.
The site was sold by the City of Sydney Council to St George Community Housing on the basis that the development be community and affordable housing.
The Gibbons St building will be on the site of an old City of Sydney Council depot and be home to hundreds of local cleaners, baristas, childcare workers and hospital workers whose moderate incomes aren’t enough to afford skyrocketing inner city rents.
The 40 to 60 social housing apartments and 100 to120 affordable units will be of equal quality.
“Gibbons Street is the first construction project of scale for Lendlease in the social and affordable housing sector in Australia and we’re thrilled to be involved in creating something great in the heart of Redfern,” Lendlease building CEO Dale Connor said.
“We know that housing affordability is a top priority and a challenge that will take a collaborative approach to solve.
“The project is a great opportunity to partner with St George Community Housing to define what affordable housing looks like in Australia today and partner to co-create what affordable housing could look like in the future.”
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The SGCH project is a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, ground floor commercial space and a cafe.
There will be no car spaces on the busy block, with bicycles given priority.
“A tenure-blind approach ensures that all residents are afforded the same amenity and opportunity — it aims to target social isolation and do away with pockets of impoverishment,” a Lendlease spokeswoman said.
The 18-storey building will also feature Aboriginal art and is due for completion in June 2021.
Sydney University head of urban and regional planning Professor Peter Phibbs said Lendlease being part of the project is a big win for those living in affordable and social housing.
“By St George securing a grade-one builder like Lendlease it shows the calibre of the project,” Prof Phibbs said.
“At the moment there is a lot of public concern about the quality of apartment buildings.
“This gives everyone a bit of confidence they have got a grade-one builder doing this project.
“There can be a perception that not-for-profit housing is a backyard industry but it has emerged as a professional sector which is negotiating high powered contracts like this.”
Singles wanting to be considered for affordable housing must have a connection to the area and be earning less than $82,875 (or less than $124,375 for couples).
Originally published as Affordable housing: Redfern unit block to be built for low-paid workers