Somerville Community Services will benefit from the $69 million Stimulus program, with refurbishments to be undertaken at 11 of its properties over the coming weeks.

The stimulus program includes $2 million for minor upgrades to houses leased to the non-government (NGO) sector, through the Industry Housing Assistance Scheme.

There are 550 industry housing dwellings leased to service providers across the Northern Territory.  Around 120 will be upgraded under this initiative in the Darwin region, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

For many NGO’s, this will assist in making their dwellings as part of the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Northern Territory, as well as making the homes more accessible for their current and future clients.

Somerville Community Services CEO Lawson Broad says this will create the best environment for their clients.

“This is a really fantastic opportunity to do some much needed works to create an improved home for our participants.

These are works that the Department of Housing and Community Development wouldn’t have the capacity to do within their ordinary repairs and maintenance budget,” he said.

The work which is being undertaken on the Somerville properties includes:

• replacing linoleum tiling with non-slip ceramic,

• more efficient drainage and tiling in the bathroom and laundry,

• converting light switches to paddle/toggle style switches,

• lever-action handles on doors and water taps, and

• continuous concrete garden paths around the home.

Mr Broad says their clients are “bubbling over with excitement” at the anticipation of the work.

“These guys have a lot of pride in their home.  We’ve got a lot of pride in their home, and this is their permanent home and they are thrilled about the upgrades, really excited,” he said.

The $69 million Stimulus Program was announced in March 2018, to give a boost to the urban and regional construction sector through much needed repairs, maintenance and upgrades to public housing.

Industry Housing providers offer specialist services to the community such as support for people with disabilities, intensive life skills programs or those traumatised by domestic violence.

Scoping of work is continuing in all regions with quotes continuing to be sought and works released to registered stimulus contractors and panel contractors.

For further information about the $69 million stimulus program, visit https://bit.ly/2FFcB9o

END

Media contact:

Sueanne McCumstie, Media Manager

M: 0427 915 108

E: sueanne.mccumstie@nt.gov.au