An artist’s impression of the Turner community housing project. Image: DJAS Architecture.
Plans for a 55-apartment community housing project to be built on the old Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) site in Turner have been submitted for approval.
The project – a partnership between PCYC, community housing provider CHC and the Snow Foundation – was announced last May.
The four-storey proposal includes 45 affordable apartments, which will be aimed at essential workers and let at below market rent, 10 supportive housing units for people aged 16-24 on fixed incomes, and a social enterprise cafe.
The project has the backing of the ACT Government’s $60 million Affordable Housing Project Fund and will transform the 2545-square-metre Watson Street site, at present a derelict building and former car park.
The ground floor comprises a cafe and courtyard, a consulting room, an accessible toilet, a common room, a communal courtyard and 12 residential apartments, eight of which will be one-bedroom designs, with the remaining four to be two-bedroom offerings.
The first floor provides 15 apartments – eight with one bedroom and seven with two – while the second and third floors will each have four one-bedroom units and 10 with two bedrooms.
All apartments will have private open space in the form of an outdoor courtyard on the ground and balconies above.
The all-electric building will feature energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC systems to minimise energy use and emissions, as well as natural ventilation and efficient insulation to reduce heating and cooling needs.
The roof has capacity for photovoltaic panels that will be connected to individual dwelling meters for flexibility. It is expected that battery storage will be added.
The PCYC building and car park in Turner will be redeveloped for affordable housing. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Parking will be provided in a one-level basement with 59 spaces, three short of requirements. However, the development application (DA) says the site is less than 100 metres from the city centre, where there are no minimum parking requirements for residential use and visitor parking is available in surrounding streets and public car parks.
The cafe will be staffed by residents and cater to local businesses, and is not expected to need any parking spaces.
Vehicles will access the basement from McKay Lane.
A service lane down the eastern side of the allotment, next to the George Turner Offices, will pass through the site between McKay Gardens and McKay Lane.
Landscaping includes deep planting zones within the setback area for larger shade trees, prioritising the north and west sides of the building to reduce urban heat impacts.
Canberra PCYC CEO Cheryl O’Donnell said that after many years of disuse it was pleasing to see the revitalisation of CPCYC’s former headquarters in Turner moving forward.
“Not only will we be able to support at-risk youth, but repurposing the site will see 55 critically-needed social and affordable home units built,” she said.
“This collaboration with CHC, the Snow Foundation and the ACT Government supports the local community, providing skills development for young people and means that new housing will replace an unused and derelict building.
“We are excited to be part of something that will help support so many in the community.”
CHC CEO Nathan Dal Bon said this project underscored the vital role like-minded public and private sector partners play in the provision of
quality, safe and affordable homes.
“We look forward to delivering this project and future housing, and working with our partners step by step towards easing the housing crisis,” he said.
Snow Foundation CEO Georgina Byron said it was exciting to see the Canberra PCYC project move closer to realisation.
“The Snow Foundation is committed to supporting vital initiatives that add value to the Canberra community, such as this project, which will deliver much-needed housing for at-risk youth,” she said.
“A collaborative approach involving government, business, community, and philanthropy is essential to the success of such an impactful initiative.”
Ms Byron said Canberra PCYC had a strong track record of empowering at-risk youth through its successful social enterprise program, and the addition of this social enterprise café would further expand training opportunities and create meaningful employment pathways.
Lease variations to remove the concessional status and allow residential and ancillary uses have already been approved, as has a demolition application.
The DA can be commented on until 13 March.
