$11 MILLION BOOST FOR ACT SOCIAL HOUSING AND JOBS

The ACT's social housing stock will be boosted and construction jobs supported with an Australian Government investment of $11 million.

The Australian and ACT Governments have committed to deliver 56 additional social housing dwellings across the Territory by July 2010.

The Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said the investment was part of Stage one of the $6.4 billion social housing component of the Government's $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan. Stage one comprises $692 million nationally.

"We are determined to do everything we can to support jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry in these turbulent economic times," Ms Macklin said.

"In turn, this will have a positive flow on effect to suppliers, small businesses and local economies.

"This funding will also make significant progress on the Rudd Government's plan to halve homelessness in Australia by 2020.

"This injection of funds builds on the Homelessness White Paper announced late last year."

The Australian Government investment will flow over two years to the ACT for Stage one Construction for the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.

Further homes will also be constructed under the much larger Stage 2 of the package to be announced later this year.

ACT Housing Minister, John Hargreaves, said that the ACT Government is moving quickly to implement the social housing component of the Australian Government's Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.

"This Plan also provides $6.4 million for the maintenance and upgrade of 243 social housing dwellings in the ACT," Mr Hargreaves said.

For more information on the social housing plan, visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs' website: www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/housing/nbjp_factsheet.htm