Affordable Housing

Assemble, the developer on a mission to make thoughtfully designed homes, more accessible to more people, starts construction on its next Kensington apartment project.&nbsp;

Apartments will be offered via Assemble Futures, where residents can rent securely for five years, and then take up the option to buy their home.&nbsp;

MAKE - Assemble&#39;s parent company,&nbsp;spent $30 million on the site, which is the third project by the group in Kensington.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28968 project_image_fid=194524]

The project seeks to meet the needs of the local community, through the provision of accessible, sustainable, thoughtfully designed homes.&nbsp;

Designed by Hayball Architects, 15 Thompson St comprises of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments across eight levels.

The building form is delivered across two conjoined buildings to enhance community connectedness.

&ldquo;Wrapped in fluted textured pre-cast concrete fa&ccedil;ade, the built form celebrates the neighbourhood&rsquo;s industrial past. Intricate brickwork, vertical steelwork and tactile materials create layers of textural detail to express the suburb&rsquo;s rich history,&rdquo; Hayball outlined.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28968 project_image_fid=194522]

The interior design of each apartment is focused on durability, functionality, and longevity, utilising high-quality materials that will last and wear well, as well as reducing the environmental impact.

&ldquo;The outcome is driven by fundamental principles including an emphasis on internal amenity, privacy, light and air access, cross-ventilation to apartments, landscaped green spaces and with direct engagement between public and private space,&rdquo; said Hayball.

15 Thompson Street is designed to encourage informal neighbourly connections with open-air walkways and stepped entries, along with a parcel room with cool store, an Amsterdam-inspired ramped bike storage facility, a lending library and a workshop.

The entire community will be connected through communal spaces located on both the ground level, as well as the rooftop, which also features a herb garden, sports courts, a dog park, a kid&#39;s play area, and a dining area with barbecues&nbsp;and a pizza oven.&nbsp;

Oculus contributed its landscaping expertise to the internal courtyard that will connect the project back to the wider Kensington community, which will include dedicated vegetable and edible gardens.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28968 project_image_fid=194523]

&quot;Our focus centres around increasing ground plane permeability and amenity, providing borrowed views and creating seasonal change through planting for residents, neighbours and visitors,&rdquo; Oculus noted.

Located only three kilometres from Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD, the Kensington development offers the convenience of village shopping, with Macaulay station and Kensington station only a five-minute walk down the road, connecting residents to the city.

15 Thompson St. is the second Assemble Futures community to be developed in Kensington, following the success of 393 Macaulay Rd, which is due to open in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=28968]

The project will support home buyers onto the property ladder by offering "a rent with the option to buy" model. 

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Assemble's Kensington's apartment development, 15 Thompson St. commences construction

A six-storey apartment building has been lodged&nbsp;at 25-27 The Grand Parade, Sutherland.

The proposal has been submitted as an Affordable Rental Housing development designed by MKD Architects.

The building will be home to a total of 38 apartments, comprising six studio units, eight one-bedroom units, 22 two-bedroom units, along with two three-bedroom units.

Fronting The Grand Parade, the northern portion of the building has a four-storey podium form, with the upper two levels recessed to reduce the buildings visual bulk when viewed from the street.

Outlined in the design statement by MKD Architects, units will utilise crossflow ventilation and natural light that is filtered throughout the building due to its location and positioning.

&ldquo;Each apartment has been sized to suit market demands and arranged to maximise, space, natural light, ventilation, amenity, and outlook,&rdquo; the statement read.

A small rooftop common open space has been outlined in the plans, which will be lined with planter boxes and will contain a centrally located pergola structure, with an outdoor kitchen and barbecue space and seating.

The corner position subject site is located within a high-density residential zone that transitions to a low density residential zone to its north and east. There is a run of recently constructed six-storey apartment buildings in the immediate vicinity, including the adjoining property to the west.

The site is a 400 metre walk to Sutherland CBD, with well-serviced public transport links. &nbsp;

The landscape design has been prepared by Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects, who have sought&nbsp;to incorporate a range of green, open spaces, consisting of easy to maintain and native planting. Two large mature eucalyptus trees are located on the site, which have also been incorporated into the proposed development.

The building will be home to a total of 38 apartments, comprising six studio units, eight one-bedroom units, 22 two-bedroom units, along with two three-bedroom units.



MKD to design new Sutherland apartment development

Punchbowl, a southwestern suburb of Sydney, is one of the Sydney&rsquo;s last suburbs where it is cheaper to buy than rent.

One of the most recently completed apartment developments in Punchbowl is TRENT, with developer&nbsp;Piper Property Group advising buyers they can secure&nbsp;4.5 per cent gross returns.

TRENT&#39;s prime location, just 17km from Sydney&rsquo;s CBD with direct rail or 19.2km via the A4, makes it a highly sought-after development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93137 project_image_fid=162062]

According to the developers, Punchbowl has been tipped as the next property hotspot. They&#39;ve compared it to the likes of Redfern and Tempe.

It is $7 a&nbsp;week cheaper to buy than rent in Punchbowl, according to a weekly difference between buying and renting report from Domain.

TRENT offers a limited selection of 39 brand-new one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as one commercial retail space on the ground floor.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93137 project_image_fid=162058]

Located in a leafy corner of Punchbowl in Sydney&rsquo;s thriving west, thoughtful architecture has been combined with innovative design to present unmatched style and value.

Bright and light living spaces, striking designer kitchens, private bedrooms and perfectly appointed bathrooms are complemented by enclosed winter garden balconies and open terraces.

The generous living area boasts an abundance of space, natural light and ample storage throughout.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93137 project_image_fid=162059]

Each apartment features gourmet kitchens, fully tiled bathrooms and a secure car space, as well as residents&rsquo; roof terrace with barbeque facilities.

Close to great shopping and retail, multi-cultural dining, and parks and reserves, TRENT offers affordability at no expense of comfort.

The development was completed in February 2021 and is ready to move in.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=93137]

Investors and first home buyers can secure a property in one of Sydney’s last suburbs where it is cheaper to buy than rent at TRENT in the southwestern suburb of Punchbowl.

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Cheaper to buy than rent: Two-bed Punchbowl apartments under $540,000 just 20km from the Sydney CBD

Wahroonga Gardens, a collection of brand-new, three-bedroom townhomes in Wahroonga in Sydney&#39;s upper north shore,&nbsp;are proving popular with homebuyers looking for a more affordable property option.

Delivered by Developcorp, the boutique development has just 10 residences, with prices starting from $1.42 million.

Recent sales data from SQM Research shows the median house sale price in Wahroonga is around $1.96 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29040 project_image_fid=87577]

Fresh and inviting, Wahroonga Gardens provide contemporary townhomes, designed to blend with the residential character of the surrounding area.

Contemporary interiors are filled with natural light, featuring flexible living spaces perfect for any family&rsquo;s changing needs.

The free-flowing layout and outdoor balconies are ideal for entertaining family and friends, and boast a welcoming feel thanks to timber flooring and a warm palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29040 project_image_fid=87578]

According to the developer, each townhome features quality fittings and superior detail, including 40mm stone benchtops and quality stainless steel appliances throughout.

Situated on Sydney&rsquo;s Upper North Shore, Wahroonga is characterised by tree-lined streets, premier schools and the boutique shops and restaurants of Wahroonga village.

Residents are well connected and within 500-metres to Waitara Station, meaning Westfield Hornsby is one stop away. The Sydney CBD is around a 40-minute commute by train.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29040 project_image_fid=87579]

Residents will have easy access to the north coast and Sydney&rsquo;s west through&nbsp;the M1 and North Conex Motorways, Pacific Highway and Pennant Hills Road.

Barker College, Abbotsleigh, Loreto Normanhurst and Knox Grammar are within close proximity to Wahroonga Gardens, as are a number of public, selective and independent schools.

Residents also have nearby access to a number&nbsp;of parks and recreation areas in Berowra Valley Regional Park and Ku-ring-gai National Park. The&nbsp;exclusive Pymble Golf Club&nbsp;is located nearby.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=29040]

Wahroonga Gardens, a collection of brand-new, three-bedroom townhomes in Wahroonga, are proving popular with homebuyers looking for a more affordable property option

Wahroonga buyers look to townhomes to save over $500k on a new property

Often compared against some of the greatest cities in the world, Sydney boasts great employment opportunities, stunning beaches and diverse cultural offerings.

The city&rsquo;s southern suburbs are undergoing great transformation, delivering a family-friendly atmosphere, budding gentrification and affordable housing.

Two of Michael Yardney&rsquo;s top 15 suburbs to invest in this year are located in the region, Bexley and Kogarah, displaying the great investment opportunities on offer for homebuyers, investors and downsizers.

With many brand-new developments now on the market, Urban takes a look at five new one-bedroom apartments available in Sydney&rsquo;s southern suburbs under $599,000.

1. Bloom Arncliffe 
Address: 213 Princes Highway, Arncliffe NSW 2205 
One-bedroom apartments from $595,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6201 project_image_fid=89013]

Situated in Sydney&rsquo;s south, Bloom boasts a collection of 318 residences in one, two and three-bedroom configurations.

Developed by Wingate, the project spans seven buildings and features ground-floor restaurants and retailers for the convenience of residents, as well as views over Botany Bay and private entertaining balconies.

Each apartment, designed by Stephen Bowers Architects, offers floor-to-ceiling windows, a dedicated study room, and the latest appliances.

2. Kogarah Grand 
Address: 78 Regent Street, Kogarah NSW 2217 
One-bedroom apartments from $599,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13642 project_image_fid=154104]

Delivered by Modern Developments, Kogarah Grand offers all of the vibrancy and convenience of urban living with a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Situated in the heart of Kogarah village, the apartment building is immersed in a transforming community with renowned beaches, retail centres and great schools.

The architecturally designed building features floor-to-ceiling windows, views across Monterrey and Brighton-Le-Sands, and spacious living rooms.

3. Slate Caringbah 
Address: 2-4 Hinkler Avenue, Caringbah NSW 2229 
One-bedroom apartments from $575,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7724 project_image_fid=26030]

Set over five floors, Slate is the newest south Sydney offering from developers Bexgrove.

Designed by PSEC Project Services, the project features one, two and three-bedroom apartments with private courtyards, native landscaping and premium finishes.

Carefully designed, the project boasts a north-east facing fa&ccedil;ade, bold geometric architecture, spacious open-plan interiors and a stylish integration of natural materials.

Slate delivers residents an idyllic lifestyle in an exceptional beachside location, with a rare combination of coastal amenity and central living.

4. The Mitchell, Jannali 
Address: 11-15 Mitchell Avenue, Jannali NSW 2226 
One-bedroom apartments from $565,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7393 project_image_fid=44135]

Located in the tranquil Jannali, the Mitchell is moments away from local offerings and Cronulla&rsquo;s vibrant beach culture.

Delivered by Truland, the complex features a collection of one, two and three-bedroom residences that boast contemporary living at an affordable price.

A sophisticated design defines this project, with stone finishes, landscaped greenery and open-plan living.

The homes, designed by PBD Architects, also feature sunlit terraces, floor-to-ceiling glass and views of Jannali&rsquo;s natural surrounds.

Sydney's southern suburbs are undergoing great transformation, delivering a family-friendly atmosphere, budding gentrification and affordable housing

July 2021: Four brand-new apartments in South Sydney under $599,000

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Luxury Gold Coast apartments don’t have to break the bank, with many brand-new residences suitable for first home buyers, investors or downsizers offered at an affordable price point.

Urban takes a look at five new developments on the market under $600,000. 
 

1. Chevron One, Surfers Paradise 
Address: 36-44 Stanhill Drive, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 
One-bedroom apartments from $480,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515]

Bensons Property Group’s Chevron One offers residents holiday-style living year-round, with close to 2000 sqm of resort-style amenities.

Designed by Marchese Partners, the project includes a Club One residents’ lounge, floating cinema, dining facilities and sculpted gardens.

Chevron One’s intuitive design and quality finishes make it easy to love, providing the best in coastal apartment living with 360-degree uninterrupted views never to be built out. 
 

2. Miles Residences, Kirra 
Address: Corner Miles Street &amp; Marine Paradise, Kirra QLD 4225 
One-bedroom apartments from $545,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27575]

Delivered by KTQ Group and designed by Woods Bagot, the luxurious Miles Residences is Kirra’s latest high-end home.

Situated on one of the rare Australian north-facing beaches, residents can soak up views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding Norfolk pines every day.

The development boasts an abundance of light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling stacker doors, and includes a suite of five-star amenities that could turn any home into a getaway. 
 

3. Opus, Broadbeach 
Address: 16-18 Chelsea Avenue, Broadbeach QLD 4218 
Two-bedroom apartments from $599,900

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6999]

Offering smart design, open-plan living, and an enviable location with views over Surfers Paradise, Morris Property Group’s Opus Broadbeach project offers homebuyers great value at an affordable price point.

Located in the heart of Broadbeach, a residence at Opus includes access to the complex’s two-level recreation deck, open-air pool, landscaped yoga lawn and fully equipped gym. 
 

4. Regal, Southport 
Address: 61-73 Meron Street, Southport QLD 4215 
Two-bedroom apartments from $545,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22476]

Azzura Development’s Regal Residences, the third stage in the Imperial Square project, blends luxury and sophistication with family-sized residences.

The Gold Coast development is conveniently located in close proximity to countless leisure activities and lifestyle amenities, making it an affordable option for downsizers and first home buyers.

Designed by Kris Kowalski Architects, Regal features oak timber flooring, a lap pool, a state-of-the-art gym and a residents’ lounge. 
 

5. Serenity, Surfers Paradise 
Address: 14 Cannes Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 
Two-bedroom apartments from $589,900

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7182]

Set over 10 floors, Serenity offers homebuyers the chance to secure a home at one of Australia's most coveted holiday destinations.

Boasting a selection of one, two and three-bedroom homes, the development provides the excellent opportunity to secure a home in an amenity-rich development with a designated rooftop recreation zone, complete with lounge areas, barbeque facilities, a spa and views spanning Surfers Paradise.
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Urban takes a look at five new developments on the market under $600,000

April 2021: The top five properties you can buy on the Gold Coast under $600,000

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GUEST OBSERVER
A recent application for an eight-room boarding house in the leafy north Sydney suburb of Cromer attracted over 800 objections from residents and the school community.
Proponents of the project, including governments, may be tempted to dismiss these residents as NIMBYs – members of the not-in-my-backyard brigade.
Our research, however, found that ignoring residents' concerns and failing to allay their fears helps nobody – least of all those in dire need of affordable housing options.
Misconceptions and stereotypes
We investigated what makes opponents tick and how proponents – including planners, developers, councils and other levels of government – can allay the fears of residents who opposed affordable housing development in their suburbs.
We looked at four council areas where residents had opposed affordable housing developments – Parramatta in NSW, Port Phillip in Victoria, and the Queensland cities of Brisbane and Cairns. We interviewed opponents and affordable housing residents and read submissions from residents who fought the developments.
We found that many objectors had misconceptions about prospective affordable housing tenants, assuming they were mostly deviants and undesirables. While this generalised portrayal of boarding house tenants has probably never been fair, it is particularly untrue of the new generation of boarding houses. They are very different products and they target different sections of the community.
New names for new designs
Most people are more familiar with traditional boarding houses that offer short-term lodgings with shared bathrooms and informal agreements, like a bed in a backpackers’ dorm.
But new boarding house developments, like those proposed in Cromer and throughout NSW following new planning controls and registration requirements, are a very different product.
The rooms are typically self-contained with kitchenette and en-suite, more akin to studios or “micro-apartments”. They are now also subject to formal occupancy agreements that offer tenants (and landlords) more security and certainty.
With these improvements, however, new boarding houses come at a higher rent and so are often out of reach of the most down-trodden, historically catered for by this form of cheaper accommodation.
As it happens, the new boarding house rules were launched in Sydney around the same time as “micro-apartments” in New York. The two have a lot in common, in both physical form and social purpose, but the difference in reception is stark. New Yorkers have largely hailed them as an innovative response to unaffordable housing; the Sydney case got us to the Cromer and Parramatta protests.
It shows what a difference a name can make.
New designs for new households
New boarding houses have these different features because they target a very different market.
A growing section of Australia’s population don’t live in nuclear families, and the housing stock is shifting alongside this. High-density built forms are part of this shift. But there is need for more diverse choices for people who want to continue to enjoy the amenity of suburban neighbourhoods, and keep their existing social networks there.
It’s too early to know for the Cromer case specifically, but in the cases we studied the boarding rooms were intended to meet demand within the local community. These people aren’t looking for family houses and often can’t afford them. However, they are seeking the same “local character” that we found opponents often fear will be lost by the development. It is not in the interests of the landlord or tenant to see the neighbourhood’s character tarnished, nor to have a business model that relies on a diminishing pool of prospective tenants.
Our research also found that opposition often stemmed from the perceived impacts of boarding houses, like additional noise or traffic. However, these impacts come with the people, not housing stock. In many instances, a purposely designed and managed boarding house will be better equipped to minimise, for example, the impacts of noisy students than if those same students were renting a family home.
Neighbourhoods will accommodate their changing community more painlessly if the housing stock is designed to mitigate any impacts. And if residents are informed that affordable housing is intended to ensure their adult children or parents or divorced friends can continue to live locally, they’re less likely to imagine the worst.
Information is the best defence
Housing diversity need not threaten established neighbourhood character or social values.
When change occurs, people often fear the worst. There are no guarantees that better engagement measures will allay everyone’s fears but we found that when affordable housing developers don’t engage well with communities, residents let their imaginations run wild.
Engaging with the most vocal opponents instead of dismissing them as members of the NIMBY crowd will make a difference. At best, affordable housing proponents can get them onside and make them vocal supporters. At the very least, proponents can limit the extent to which fear is spread.
 
Edgar Liu is research fellow at City Futures Research Centre, UNSW Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/edgar-liu-32200" target="_blank">here</a>. Ryan Van den Nouwelant is senior research officer and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ryan-van-den-nouwelant-199969" target="_blank">here</a>. Both are authors for The Conversation.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Don’t fear boarding houses: they’re probably not what you think

With the Brisbane property market in its strongest position in five years to generate price growth, first home buyers are increasingly interested in purchasing an inner-city apartment.

Brisbane&rsquo;s affordability, when compared to other cities such as Sydney or Melbourne, is helping boost demand.

Here are some of the most affordable prices for inner-city Brisbane apartments, whether you&rsquo;re a first home buyer or a smart investor.

1.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/silk-one-825-847-stanley-street-woolloongabba?last_source_news_article_id=84625&amp;ref=news_related_project">Silk One, Wolloongabba</a> 
One-bedroom apartments from $398,000 
Address: 825-847 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba QLD 4102

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/silk-one-825-847-stanley-street-woolloongabba-9a6d5739b3a574becc1dba674a707b94.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/silk-one-825-847-stanley-street-woolloongabba-9a6d5739b3a574becc1dba674a707b94.jpg?itok=JZzB1lEG" width="580" /></a> <a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/maxresdefault-8.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/maxresdefault-8.jpg?itok=cAFUO6B6" width="580" /></a>

Located in Woolloongabba, the home of the Brisbane Cricket Ground, the &lsquo;Gabba&rsquo;, Silk One comprises 177 one, two and three-bedroom apartments within walking distance to the Brisbane CBD. Designed by Nettleton Tribe Architects, the home features deep balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Brisbane River, CBD skyline and beyond.

Amenities within the project include a rooftop recreation deck, above ground secure car parking and office and retail space. It features Brisbane&rsquo;s first and only rooftop Skystand, overlooking the Gabba.

The second stage, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/silk-lane-12-14-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba">Silk Lane, is expected to be release mid 2021.</a>

2. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/renovar%C3%A9-yeronga-174-venner-road-yeronga?last_source_news_article_id=84625&amp;ref=news_related_project">Renovar&eacute; Yeronga</a> 
One-bedroom apartments from $389,000 
Address: 174 Venner Road, Yeronga QLD 4104

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/renovare-yeronga-174-venner-road-yeronga-866298801bd136000c51763a32678665_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="309" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/renovare-yeronga-174-venner-road-yeronga-866298801bd136000c51763a32678665_0.jpg?itok=qhpuYj8z" width="580" /></a>

Delivered by the Gardner Vaughan Group, the eco-friendly development in the heart of Yeronga offers 30 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. Achieving a five-leaf rating of sustainability from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), the residence has a positive impact on the environment and the community.

Adjoining the Fehlberg Park, residents will enjoy parklands, heated pool, green spaces, community herb garden and entertaining facilities.

3. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/the-coterie-365-st-pauls-terrace-fortitude-valley?last_source_news_article_id=84625&amp;ref=news_related_project">The Coterie, Fortitude Valley</a> 
One-bedroom apartments from $383,880 
Address: 365 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_coterie_height.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_coterie_height.png?itok=DotIm28U" width="580" /></a>

Located in the culturally rich inner-city suburb of Fortitude Valley, the Coterie stands as two residential towers comprising of 249 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across 27 floors.

Designed by Rothelowman and Bruce Henderson Architects, the home offers open-plan designs, floor-to-ceiling windows, oak floorboards and white joinery. The residences offer views over the Brisbane CBD, private outdoor spaces and exclusive amenities, including a private rooftop retreat, landscaped gardens and a swimming pool.

4. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/mary-lane-111-mary-street-brisbane?last_source_news_article_id=84625&amp;ref=news_related_project">Mary Lane, Brisbane</a> 
One-bedroom apartments from $460,000 
Address: 111 Mary Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mary-lane-111-mary-street-brisbane-cc34014d8017a299485caee03c3c9f70.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mary-lane-111-mary-street-brisbane-cc34014d8017a299485caee03c3c9f70.jpg?itok=fz03Itfv" width="580" /></a> <a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/retail_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="362" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/retail_0.jpg?itok=hPRQUCg_" width="580" /></a>

Mary Lane sits in the centre of Brisbane, offering 167 residences in one, two and three-bedroom configurations. For just $460,000, residents will have access to private amenities, such as a residents-only foyer, terrace pool, gym and function room. Although its perched above the Westin Hotel, the foyer and lifts remain separate.

One-bedroom apartments in the development feature floor-to-ceiling glass, a balcony and a full-size kitchen with quality appliances.

5. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/m-apartments-699-main-street-kangaroo-point?last_source_news_article_id=84625&amp;ref=news_related_project">M Apartments, Kangaroo Point</a> 
One-bedroom apartments from $415,000 
Address: 699 Main Street, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/m-apartments-699-main-street-kangaroo-point-c99c5000b79cae57bd60d9c2a196333e.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/m-apartments-699-main-street-kangaroo-point-c99c5000b79cae57bd60d9c2a196333e.jpg?itok=qMqE1wEc" width="580" /></a>

M Apartments is a new addition to Brisbane&rsquo;s Kangaroo Point and is only moments to the Woolloongabba dining precinct and the Brisbane CBD. The development offers 46 one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as three commercial properties located on the ground floor.

Amenities within the project include rooftop entertainment deck, timber flooring and a communal barbeque area with views over the surrounding suburbs.

Here are five of the most affordable entry prices for inner-city Brisbane apartments

December 2020: The most affordable prices for new apartments in the Brisbane CBD

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Social housing is in crisis in Australia, with almost 200,000 people on waiting lists. Social housing made up 8% of all housing stock in Australia in 1966. This had fallen to just 4.3% at July 2016.
As a result, governments have tightened eligibility. Social housing is increasingly home to only the most vulnerable households. And even these households often spend years on the waiting list while experiencing severe housing stress or homelessness.
Outside of social housing, rental and ownership options are increasingly unaffordable, particularly in the capital cities. Social housing was once a stepping stone to home ownership, but this is becoming more difficult.
There is a solution
The Melbourne-based Barnett Foundation responded by creating a model of affordable home ownership for social housing tenants. The foundation developed a 34-unit apartment in the inner suburb of North Melbourne and offered 28 units to households living within 4km of the site and willing to leave their social housing. It’s called the Melbourne Apartments Project (MAP).
The foundation offered an interest-free second mortgage scheme to ease buyers’ transition into home ownership. This allows the owner to retain 100% ownership of their home while combining their own savings, a standard first mortgage with a bank and a second mortgage with the foundation.
The developer achieved cost savings during construction through reduced marketing and real estate costs (thanks to support from Melbourne City Mission), reduced tax requirements and foregone profit. The savings totalled about 37% of the market value of each property.
These savings were passed on to the buyers in the form of a no-interest second mortgage. This is not payable until the home owner sells their apartment. The second mortgage also reduces every year for the first four years.
Buyers were required to provide at least a A$25,000 deposit and to seek a mortgage to cover the remaining development costs of each unit. This is about 63% of market value, meaning they require a much smaller loan and pay less interest, as well as a smaller deposit. This helps overcome two of the largest barriers to home ownership for first home buyers.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/235129/original/file-20180906-191844-1j4qu6v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
What do the buyers think about it?
I interviewed ten of the 28 MAP households in our research and will be presenting findings next Tuesday, October 9, at a free event.
Residents offered extremely positive feedback on their new homes and about being able to buy a home near their existing communities. They would not have contemplated this without the MAP.
Many had lived in social housing for 20 to 30 years and had never felt capable of making the move into market housing.
Participants spoke of the benefit of being able to pass on an asset to their children or to build wealth in their home. Many spoke of the great sense of achievement this move had given them.
I found residents retained extremely strong connections to their previous communities. They often returned to the public housing estates for social activities, to visit family and for community gardening.
However, many also spoke of their deep desire to leave unsafe, “aggravated” and uncomfortable previous homes. Households spoke of the deep sense of relief that came from feeling safe.
Most respondents told me their financial position had not changed or even improved since moving into MAP. Most were “over income” tenants, with a household income that meant they paid market rent for their social housing. Many found their mortgage repayments were similar to their previous rental costs.
However, social housing provides a “safety net” as rents are adjusted if household income decreases. Given some households gathered their deposits with significant support from family and friends while earning low incomes, this might be a future concern for residents.
Scaling up solutions
A 28-unit development is a drop in the ocean compared to the level of unmet need. Recent research suggests Greater Melbourne alone has a 160,000-dwelling deficit of housing that is affordable and available to very low and low-income households.
Creating a significant change requires effective models to be replicated and scaled up. In Toronto, a similar model called Options for Homes has delivered 2,000 affordable units. A further 2,500 units are in the construction pipeline.
Our research found this model is replicable and suitable for a subsection of more financially secure social housing tenants. Its scaling would be supported by access to land and finance and integration with social rental housing options.
Access to land
Access to affordable land in well-located areas is one of the largest barriers to developing affordable housing. Projects like MAP could be integrated into state government initiatives like the Public Housing Renewal Program.
Such schemes would also benefit from discounted land sales by philanthropic or religious groups, or even deferred land sale costs. Options for Homes almost always works with vendors that are prepared to defer land purchase costs until development is completed.
Access to funds
Philanthropic organisations and social impact investors like the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation have already supported affordable home ownership through the Affordable Housing Loan Fund. This allowed the not-for-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity to provide no-interest loans to low-income buyers in the town of Yea in Victoria.
Similarly, social impact investors are key to providing project equity to models like the Nightingale housing model. They could provide important equity and/or debt finance to projects using the MAP model.
Integrated housing solutions
This model is aimed at households with incomes of at least A$75,000 a year, or access to a substantial capital contribution. Despite the reduced deposits and mortgage repayments, most social housing tenants will not be able to access this scheme.
Other not-for-profit organisations could replicate this model and integrate it into their existing portfolios of social rental housing. The MAP model could cross-subsidise other housing options and help to provide a diversity of housing options in developments.
Why does this matter?
For the Melbourne Apartments Project, we estimated that for every A$1 of cost to the government, it receives A$2.19 in benefits from the project. This is mainly due to new households being able to move into vacated public housing units.
If every public housing unit made available as a MAP participant moved out were reallocated to a high-needs applicant on the waiting list, the government could save A$27,458.22 in costs per MAP participant per year.
Housing is increasingly unaffordable in many parts of Australia. As governments reduce their role in social and affordable housing, the need for industry-led innovations is growing. Pilot projects such as MAP are important but need to be supported by policy and scaling mechanisms to have a systemic impact on our housing environment.
Katrina Raynor, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Transforming Housing Project, University of Melbourne
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/affordable-home-ownership-scheme-offers-a-pathway-out-of-social-housing-102635" target="_blank">original article</a>.
The authors of this and two other recent Conversation articles – Carolyn Whitzman, Matthew Palm and Katrina Raynor – are presenting the full findings of their research project at a Transforming Housing event from 6.30pm on October 9.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102635/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
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Affordable home-ownership scheme offers a pathway out of social housing: Katrina Raynor

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Social housing is part of the lives of a surprising number of Australians. On any one night in Australia, just over 4% of households rent social housing. Yet it has housed many more people than this for brief, and sometimes repeated, periods. We estimate up to 10% of Australians have called social housing home at some time in the past 20 years.
Throughout the postwar era, Australians have used social housing in various ways. Social housing can be:
<ul>
<li>
a place to raise a working family
</li>
<li>
a “springboard” to owning a home
</li>
<li>
a brief “safety net” to escape domestic violence
</li>
<li>
a stable home following homelessness.
</li>
</ul>
Today the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (<a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/about-us/who-we-are-and-what-we-do" target="_blank">AHURI</a>) releases a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/326" target="_blank">major commissioned study</a> tracking the pathways of people into and out of social housing from 2000 to 2015. Our analysis, using national data, provides many interesting insights into how Australians use social housing.
Try to picture a “typical” social housing tenant. You might imagine a single mother, or an elderly lady who has lived and raised family there. Or do you see a single man who has fallen out of the workforce? Regardless of whom we picture, most of us will probably see social housing as an end-point in their housing journey – a stable home.
The truth is Australians use social housing in several very different ways. A home for life is just one of those ways.
<h2>Who uses social housing?</h2>
When we look over time (in this case 15 years) at everyone who has lived in social housing, we find only about a third of people lived continuously in the tenure. Almost another third entered social housing in that time and remained there. But a surprisingly large proportion entered and left the sector either once or multiple times.
So social housing represents different things – a long-term home, a springboard, a safety net – to different people.
The likely role of social housing depends a lot on what else is going on in people’s lives. When we compared characteristics of all people who were “social renters” at some time in the 15 years, we found:
<ul>
<li>
the group who lived continuously in social housing were generally older (average age 60) and more likely to be female than people on other housing pathways, with age pension and disability benefits the most common types of government assistance received
</li>
<li>
those who left social housing (and never returned) were the second-oldest group (average age 50), also predominantly female, with unemployment and disability support the most commonly received government assistance
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the group who entered (and then remained in) social housing was distinct in its high proportion of refugees and other people born overseas, with unemployment and disability support again the most common government assistance
</li>
<li>
more than a quarter of all pathways could be described as more transitory, involving multiple entrances or exits. This group as a whole was younger, more likely to be Australian-born and more likely to be Indigenous than the other groups. It was also distinct in the dominance of unemployment benefits among the forms of government assistance received.
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Social housing has broad benefits</h2>
The people who enter social housing, and their patterns of behaviour, are nowhere near as predictable as many of us thought. There are many pathways. Only about one-third are long-term tenancies.
Despite the shrinkage of this sector, and a relative lack of investment in it, social housing does much more than simply house the elderly, sick and most disadvantaged people in our society.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/319788/original/file-20200311-116275-1c67o3y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge:
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/319788/original/file-20200311-116275-1c67o3y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/319788/original/file-20200311-116275-1c67o3y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Social housing (public and community housing) as a proportion of all households in Australia. <a class="source" href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/policy/ahuri-briefs/census-shows-falling-proportion-of-households-in-social-housing" target="_blank">AHURI, using ABS Census data, 1981-2016</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-SA</a>
More than one in four people who enter social housing use it as a launchpad to more stable employment and market housing. Clearly, then, the sector plays a valuable role in stabilising lives and raising prosperity. These important functions should be safeguarded in the future as pressures on the sector continue to grow.
Overall, one of the things this new work gives us is a long view – hopefully a different view – of the social housing sector and its role over time in Australian lives. It reminds us the impact of social housing is felt well beyond the 4% of the population who may live in it at any one time.
Our social housing infrastructure has certainly been part of the housing experience of many Australians or their parents. We therefore underestimate the effectiveness of social housing as a springboard into home ownership, or a temporary safety net, when we only think of the 4% it currently houses.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/133436/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-baker-172081" target="_blank">Emma Baker</a>, Professor of Housing Research, School of Architecture and Built Environment, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119" target="_blank">University of Adelaide</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-leishman-391783" target="_blank">Chris Leishman</a>, Professor of Housing Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119" target="_blank">University of Adelaide</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-bentley-173502" target="_blank">Rebecca Bentley</a>, Professor of Social Epidemiology, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722" target="_blank">University of Melbourne</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-many-faces-of-social-housing-home-to-1-in-10-australians-133436" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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