Calls to extend the State Government's housing construction grant Phylicia Veitch and her partner have bought a house and land package in Evanston Gardens. The couple were able to buy the property thanks to the government's $8500 housing construction grant. MORE than 170 northern-suburbs homebuyers have applied for the State Government's $8500 construction grant, prompting industry calls for it to be extended beyond the June 30 cut-off date. Housing Industry Association SA executive director Robert Harding said it was "irresponsible" to stop the grants when they were providing a much-needed industry­ stimulus. " (The industry is) coming off a three-year recession and if we look at all of the economic indicators since October, since the announcement of the $8500 housing-construction grant was made, all of those indicators show activity has increased," Mr Harding said. We think it would be irresponsible to take it away now when it's doing so well. But Premier and Treasurer Jay Weatherill said there were no plans to extend the grant. "The housing-construction sector in South Australia has been under­ substantial pressure," he told the News Review Messenger. This is why we brought in the housing-construction grant - it was designed to stimulate the housing industry and provide jobs in the industry. There has been an increase in the number of grants being taken up and we hope that will continue. The cut-off date remains June 30. Devine managing director Mark Devine said the looming end date had led to a rush of inquiries for its northern developments, including Lakeside at Andrews Farm and Orleana Waters at Evanston Gardens. "Due to its popularity over 90 per cent of the (Lakeside) community has already sold out," he said. Devine is matching the housing-construction grant until May 31. Friday (May 31). Lend Lease SA communities manager Brendan Pihan said the rush of inquiries led to eight lots being sold at its Blakes Crossing development in one weekend. Lend Lease, the developer of Blakes Crossing in Blakeview and Springwood in Gawler, is offering an extra $15,000 until June 7. Revenue SA figures showed 173 northern-suburbs people had applied for the housing-construction grant since October; 83 had applied for first-homeowner grants. HomeStart Finance chief executive John Oliver said the construction grant allowed homebuyers to get into the property market much sooner. "Saving for a deposit including fees and charges can be difficult for some South Australians," he said. (The grants) provide much-needed assistance.