Eleven new affordable housing units have been officially opened today in Gillen, Alice Springs.

The units were built by the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company with $4 million in funding through the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA).

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, officially opened the units in Bloomfield Street today.

“I congratulate the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company and all that have been involved over the past four years on this new set of units that will improve the quality of living for residents”, Minister Scullion said.

“Affordable housing is a key to creating safer communities, one of this Government’s highest priorities in Indigenous Affairs.

“It is great to be able to open a new set of units for Aboriginal people in Alice Springs that will improve the quality of living for its residents.

“It’s about long-term, secure housing that can support Aboriginal people working in and around Alice Springs by giving them the choice to stay close to their families.

“These units show how funding from the ABA can be used to provide real and lasting benefits to people living in the Northern Territory.”

The six one-bedroom and five two-bedroom units will be available with assistance through the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

They have been built for life-long tenure using accessibility principals including wide doorways and accessible bathrooms.