Family’s future secured as new housing program delivers 100 affordable homes

6 days ago 22

Mia Burson secured an affordable rental property for her young family at Burpengary East

As population growth and migration lift demand faster than new homes are finished, 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 centres turned him away due to the complexity of his care, narrowing where they could live and work.

The Bursons turned a corner mid-last year after moving to a home in Burpengary East, where a nearby centre offered Ryder a place and adjusted its protocols.

They secured an affordable home close to a childcare centre that could cater to Ryder’s severe allergies. Picture: Liam Kidston

“They completely cut out dairy and eggs in his room and everyone who walks in has to wash their hands to make sure it’s safe,” Ms Burson said.

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

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

“You would go to a house inspection and be up against 30-plus other people there,” she said.

“I had applied for rentals but kept getting knocked back.”

They finally moved to a two-bedroom home in the Avaline estate, part of Everyone’s Place Affordable Housing.

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

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Delivered with partners including Metricon, the program provides secure, long-term rentals at 75 per cent of market rent across high-demand parts of South-East Queensland.

“This house has really changed our lives,” she said.

“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 five- to six-month build times and up to 30 starts a month, and a target of 483 homes by early 2027 in suburbs including Burpengary East, Jimboomba, Logan Reserve and Joyner.

Metricon chief executive Brad Duggan said the family’s story showed the impact of secure housing.

“When families have certainty about where they’re living, it creates a foundation for everything else, education, wellbeing and community connection,” Mr Duggan said. He said the speed of delivery was critical.