A $6.9 million dollar partnership between the Northern Territory government, the federal government, Housing Australia and Venture Housing Company is helping people in Tennant Creek in need of safe, secure and affordable housing.
The community will benefit from 12 new homes being delivered across three adjoining sties, being a mixed of social and affordable homes available to older woman at risk of homelessness, woman and children fleeing domestic and family violence, and Aboriginal people who are eligible.
Venture Housing is developing the 12 two-bedroom homes, and contributing land and $1.5 million towards the project development costs. This is supported by a joint $1.9 million grant from the Territory and Commonwealth governments under the Barkly Regional Deal; an additional capital grant of $500,000 from the Territory government; and a $3 million grant from Housing Australia.
NT Minister for Urban Housing Ngaree Ah Kit said providing safe and secure housing creates better outcomes for Territorians.
"The construction of new homes in Tennant Creek not only supports the objectives of the Barkly Regional Deal to improve the liveability of the region but also means more housing for Territorians in need," she said.
"Everyone deserves to have a place to call home and we are proud to be working with the Commonwealth Government, Housing Australia and Venture to transform the way social and affordable housing is delivered in the Northern Territory."
This is the first Northern Territory-targeted grant Housing Australia is funding via the National Housing Infrastructure Facility Fund for Social and Affordable Housing to support the development of more homes in the Northern Territory.
The transition of delivery and management of social and affordable housing to Community Housing Providers was announced as part of the Northern Territory Community Housing Growth Strategy 2022–32. The strategy aims to transform the way housing in the Northern Territory is delivered by providing targeted, sector-led housing services, contributing to community renewal, and attracting non-government investment in social and affordable housing.
Housing Australia chief executive Nathan Dal Bon said the company was "very pleased" to fund its first social and affordable housing project in the Northern Territory.
He noted that it was particularly important for Tennant Creek, which experiences one of the highest proportional homelessness rates in the country.
"This is a great example of how the Commonwealth Government is working with states and territories and registered community housing providers to support the community housing sector to deliver homes for vulnerable people including Indigenous Australians," he said.
Venture Housing Company CEO Karen Walsh their company said the joint investment approach "makes a huge and positive difference to what we can now deliver, and our partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when we all share the vision".
"This is our second development in Tennant Creek, and we're excited that these homes will enable our tenants to access opportunities and achieve their aspirations," she said.
The homes are expected to be completed by February 2025.
