Household resilience grants reopen

Bundaberg Region residents may be eligible to strengthen their homes through the Household Resilience Program, with applications now open.

Owner-occupiers who live in a house built before 1984, located within 50km of the coastline from Bundaberg to the Queensland/Northern Territory border, can apply to receive a Queensland Government grant of 75 per cent of the cost of improvements (up to a maximum grant value of $11,250 including GST).

Approved applicants must make a minimum 25 per cent co-contribution towards the works, paid directly to their approved contractor.

The upgrade value must total $3300 or more.

Approved grants are restricted to one per household. Funding for the program is limited, and grants will be awarded until the funding capacity is met.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the highly successful program was being reopened with a $21.25 million top-up from the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments, after the program’s proven results to support local jobs and save on household insurance premiums.

“Queenslanders living on low incomes in cyclone-prone areas may be eligible for government assistance to increase the cyclone-resilience of their homes,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The first round of the Household Resilience Program has already upgraded more than 1700 homes, with homeowners saving an average of around $300 on their insurance as a result.

“The program has also seen a significant flow through to the local economy by keeping tradies in work, which is particularly important during these challenging COVID-19 times.

“I’d encourage Queensland homeowners with houses built before 1984 to check their eligibility now.”

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the reloaded grants program would continue to support Queensland regional jobs, after 95 per cent of upgrade projects were delivered by local tradies in the first round.

“Local companies like Elite Roofing from Bundaberg, Roof Seal FNQ in Townsville and Tropical Roofing and Drainage Solutions from Cairns are just a few of the 451 Queensland businesses who have benefited from the program so far,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The Household Resilience Program backs Queensland tradies, and it’s these local tradies who are best placed to tie down old-fashioned rooves, replace weak doors and seal leaky windows in the communities where they live.

“This early targeted feature of our Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy will make a big difference for homeowners on low incomes, while stimulating the creation of local jobs.”

Check if you are eligible

To apply, you must:

• Live in a recognised cyclone risk area (in the area from Bundaberg to the Queensland/Northern Territory border within 50km of the coast)
• Own or be the mortgagor of a house built before 1984
• Live in the home (it’s your primary place of residence)
• Meet the income eligibility requirements.

To apply or find out more information about the program visit here.

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