A NEW building grant from the Fraser Coast council will soon help aspiring local homeowners take their first step into the market.
Media release
Fraser Coast Building Grant Program – 27 November, 2017
Low-income earners can gain a $10,000 grant from Council to enter the Fraser Coast housing market.
Council has launched the Fraser Coast Building Grant Program with funds from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Program.
“Thanks to the federal government we’ve been able to invest funds not expended in the Hervey Bay Affordable Housing Program into a scheme available for all Fraser Coast low income earners,” Fraser Coast Mayor Chris Loft said.
“The scheme will help many families achieve the great Australian dream of owning their own home.
“It is fantastic that we’ve been able to extend the grant to cover all of the Fraser Coast which will open up opportunities for property developers, agents, builders, tradies and building supply companies across the region.”
Applicants will also be able to apply for the State Government’s Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant which provides $15,000 or $20,000 towards buying or building a new house, unit or townhouse (valued at less than $750,000).
The Fraser Coast grant was good news for the smaller communities, Infrastructure and Planning Portfolio Councillor Denis Chapman said.
“Through this grant, eligible applicants can build anywhere in the region,” he said.
“There are many people who want to live in our smaller communities who will be able to apply for the grant.”
The grant will also boost the regional economy.
“The building industry is a major regional employer. This scheme will go a long way to help create work for tradies and building supply companies and boost the regional economy,” Cr Loft said.
The grant has been welcomed by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, Urban Development Industry Association and Master Builders Association.
“Any program that stimulates the Fraser Coast economy and assists lower to moderate income earners into the home market is a positive,” Fraser Coast UDIA branch president Kane McCready said.
REIQ Fraser Coast branch president Damian Raxach applauded Council for getting involved.
“We applaud all levels of government which rolls up their sleeves and get involved with helping the next generation achieve the Australian dream of home ownership.”
The $10,000 Fraser Coast Building Grant is open to applicants over 18 years of age who are building a new home and receive an annual gross income less than $85,000 (single applicant) or less than $100,000 for two or more applicants.
The dwelling must be completed within 12 months.
Applicants, or their spouses, must not already have received a grant under this scheme or the Hervey Bay Affordability Scheme/Destination Hervey Bay Grant.
“Applications can be backdated to July this year,” Councillor Chapman said.
“The program is open to homeowners building a new home where the contract date is on or after July 1, 2017 when the old scheme finished,” Cr Chapman said.
Applications can be downloaded from the Council website or collected from Council Customer Service Centres, real estate agents and builders.
The grant will be paid when Council receives a copy of the final building inspection certificate confirming the home can be occupied.
For guidelines and application forms @ http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/grants/-/asset_publisher/SMJjsGONaWd3/content/fraser-coast-building-grant