PM Anthony Albanese visit to social housing development, 22/6/22

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese was a recent visitor to the new housing development in Bridgewater currently being built by St Joseph Affordable Homes.

Taken on a tour of some the houses on site, the Prime Minister was joined by the Archbishop of Hobart Julian Porteous, Federal Minister for Housing, Julie Collins, local Senators Carol Brown and Catryna Bilyk and Brighton City Council Mayor Leigh Gray.

Mr Albanese congratulated St Joseph Affordable Homes, Centacare Evolve Housing and the organisations associated with the Catholic community in bringing this housing development project to fruition.

“It’s a vision that’s not just about constructing buildings - it’s about building homes for people,” he said.

Archbishop Porteous expressed that the work behind the housing project reflects Christ’s teaching in the Gospels.

“St Joseph Affordable Homes works very closely with all our social services so that we’re able to care for people.

“We are putting the Lord’s teachings in the Gospels into practice,” the Archbishop said.

“In this way we are living out our Christian faith and showing concern for our neighbour.”

Brighton Council Mayor Leigh Gray expressed his pride for the Brighton City Council and the foresight involved in donating land to Centacare Evolve Housing on which St Joseph Affordable Homes have been able to build dwellings.

“To master plan this particular area and have something of this quality in our municipality is just fantastic.

“We’re about getting houses built, and people into those houses to build a better community,” he said.

Employed by St Joseph Affordable Homes, bricklaying apprentice Izaiah Meni said he is fortunate to be involved in the project in Bridgewater.

Coming through the Build Up Tassie initiative by Centacare Evolve Housing, Mr Meni said he was able to build up the necessary skills to advance toward an apprenticeship.

“St Joseph’s do such an incredible job doing what they do helping families and all those in need, so it’s been really rewarding [to be a part of it].”

Of the 54 homes being built at Reynolds Place in Bridgewater, 30 are State Government funded through the Community Housing Grant Fund and 10 are funded under the Hobart City Deal.

The remaining 14 homes are funded by Centacare Evolve Housing and will be sold privately.