Cairns Regional Council has finalised lease agreements for two more properties to be used for emergency housing.
The 10-year lease agreements were signed off in August and October this year between Council and Access Community Housing Company (ACHC) for homes in Divisions 5 and 8.
It follows a similar agreement for property in Division 2, which was completed about two years ago.
The two newly leased properties were identified as being appropriate for housing use when their previous use was vacated.
Council reached out to ACHC to offer the opportunity of a long-term lease for community housing purposes.
All three of the Council properties have been earmarked for future development and infrastructure works.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said that as those future works were not scheduled to take place in the next decade, it was better to have the homes available for housing, rather than remain empty.
“We all are aware of the current housing difficulties, whether that be for social housing or rental vacancy rates and affordability,” Cr Manning said.
“The three Council properties leased to Access Housing provide at least three families with some assistance during this difficult time.”
ACHC is a Cairns based not-for-profit organisation which provides social and affordable housing for individuals and families living across Far North Queensland.
Access Community Housing CEO Liz Brown said: “We are delighted to work collaboratively with the Cairns Regional Council to make more homes available for individuals and families at a time of significant housing crisis across the region.
“Access Community Housing is keen to partner with all levels of government, developers, investors and private landlords to increase the supply of social and affordable housing,” she said.
Cr Manning said Council would continue advocating for more State and Federal Government assistance to tackle the current housing concerns.
“This is a complex issue that requires support from State and Federal Governments through the supply of social housing and packages to make housing more affordable,” Cr Manning said.
“Council also plays a role in housing through planning and the expedient processing of development approvals.”
