Family’s future secured as new housing program delivers 100 affordable homes – realestate.com.au

With population growth and migration increasing demand faster than new homes are completed, finding a safe, affordable place wasn’t a lifestyle choice for Mia Burson – it was a medical necessity.

Her two-year-old son, Ryder, has severe dairy and egg allergies. Several childcare centers turned him away due to the complexity of his care, reducing the places where they could live and work.

The Bursons took things a step further midway through last year after moving to a house in Burpengary East, where a nearby center offered Ryder a place and adjusted protocols.

They secured an affordable home near a child care center that could accommodate Ryder’s severe allergies. Photo: Liam Kidston

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“They have completely removed dairy and eggs in his room and anyone who comes in has to wash their hands to make sure it’s safe,” Ms Burson said.

“They changed their rules to accommodate Ryder… it was just really good, it made everything easier.”

It came as hope was fading for the 25-year-old single mother, who had been living in a one-bedroom apartment in Caboolture, far from the support of her family.

“You would go to a home inspection and play against more than 30 other people,” she said.

“I had submitted a rental application, but kept getting knocked back.”

They eventually moved to a two-bedroom house on the Avaline estate, part of Everyone’s Place Affordable Housing.

A house for rent in Burpengary, where the weekly median is $650

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Delivered with partners including Metricon, the program provides secure long-term rentals at 75 percent of market rent in high-demand areas of South East Queensland.

“This house really changed our lives,” she says.

“Ryder loves playing outside, riding his scooter and pointing to the park every time we step out the front door.”

Program figures show 100 homes completed within a year of construction starting, with a construction time of five to six months and up to 30 starts per month, and a target of 483 homes by early 2027 in suburbs including Burpengary East, Jimboomba, Logan Reserve and Joyner.

Metricon CEO Brad Duggan said the family’s story demonstrated the impact of safe housing.

“When families have certainty about where they live, it creates a foundation for everything else: education, wellness and community connection,” Duggan said. He said speed of delivery was critical.

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