Yumba Meta partnering with Labor government to provide 24 units and 2 duplexes on Riverway Drive
New homes are being built on Riverway Drive to help provide Townsville’s most vulnerable people with a safe place to live.
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Works have begun as Yumba Meta, in partnership with the Miles Labor government, adds 24 single bedroom studio apartments and 2 three bedroom duplexes to their site along Riverway Drive in Rasmussen.
Yumba Meta Limited, a not-for-profit charity that has been working for 50 years to provide secure and affordable housing options to vulnerable people in Townsville, in particular First Nations people.
Running several Women’s Shelters and accommodation centres across Townsville chief executive Dushy Thangiah said the group provided essential services to those struggling to find long term, sustainable housing.
“The whole country is experiencing a housing crisis and the duplexes will relieve pressure on short term housing, emergency housing for women and children escaping violence,” she said.
“The one bedroom units will house some of the most vulnerable people in Townsville with mental health disability, who have experienced chronic homelessness. We already have houses at Dale Parker Place, with 40 units there, and this is kind of an extension of that because the demand has been growing since we opened those in 2011.”
Ms Thangiah said having a safe place to live is a ‘starting point’ for vulnerable people to be able to access help.
“For services to come and engage, it has to be a safe place,” she said.
“It’s not going to solve all the problems for a person, but I think it’s a start, the key starting point for them to engage in services and make a positive change in their lives.”
She said the 24 houses that will be built will be low maintenance and have environmentally friendly features such as solar panels, with works expected to be finished by the end of 2025.
Board chair of Yumba Meta Genus Passi said it was an exciting time for the organisation.
“The ripple effect is more jobs in our community and contributing to the housing shortage as well,” he said.
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said he was happy to welcome the government’s $5.6 million contribution to the 24 units.
“While civil works are underway right here, right now, there’ll be even more jobs in construction and that’s important for our local economy,” he said.
“I have been a long time supporter of the amazing work Yumba Meta does in Townsville and partnering with housing providers like them helps deliver what’s needed for the city.”
Mr Harper said the Upper Ross was a growing area in the city and new homes and the services Yumba Meta provide were essential.
“These new homes will ensure that right here in Townsville have a roof over their head when they need it.”
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Originally published as Yumba Meta partnering with Labor government to provide 24 units and 2 duplexes on Riverway Drive
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