Wesley Mission has been granted $588,600 to upgrade five social housing properties to support people in need in Miller, Cartwright, Narwee, Windale and Hamilton South.
This program of works will roll-out by June. The funding will improve the quality, safety, and comfort of homes with roofing, internal and external painting, window and gutter replacement, updates to kitchens, floor coverings, and a community hall upgrade.
“We believe that everyone has the right to a safe place to call home,” said Wesley Mission CEO Rev Stu Cameron. “Through Wesley Community Housing, we provide suitable, sustainable and secure accommodation so people can live independent and fulfilled lives. This grant will help improve properties and the quality of people’s experience in those properties.”
Wesley Community Housing currently manages tenants in various properties encompassing crisis, transitional, social and affordable housing, and Specialist Disability Accommodation across Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle.
“We’ve been consulting with our tenants to identify which projects are our top priority,” said Wesley Head of Community Housing Lisa Ellis. “It might surprise people to know that tenants in social housing are as passionate about their homes, if not more so than homeowners.”
“We’re not just your typical Community Housing Provider. We’re empowering our tenants to connect, grow and develop through Wesley Mission’s broad network of services and to have a voice. In the industry, we rank first for tenant involvement.”
This funding allocation follows the NSW Government’s announcement of 31 successful bids by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to deliver $40 million in stimulus funding to upgrade social housing, create jobs and help build safer and stronger communities throughout NSW.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said the $40 million program will deliver capital works for more than 2000 properties owned by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) and managed by CHPs, including 55 per cent in regional locations.
“The program will create more than 350 jobs in NSW, with more than half of them in regional areas. Regional NSW has also received over half of government stimulus grants over $1 million,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Alongside CHPs, we’re improving the quality, comfort and safety of homes for thousands of vulnerable people and families throughout NSW.
“This investment is also supporting the local businesses that are supplying workers with the tools, trades and building materials that will give these homes a fresh lick of paint, a new roof or gutter, and much-needed bathroom and kitchen replacements.”
The $40 million stimulus injection forms part of the NSW Government’s record budget investment of close to $900 million to fast-track the construction of thousands of new homes while creating jobs and boosting the State’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
The NSW Government announced a $200 million maintenance spend in the last year’s budget. This complements the $47 million maintenance stimulus program delivered by LAHC last year, which supported 500 jobs and upgraded 2,200 social housing properties and another 200 buildings, grounds and complexes, in regional and metropolitan NSW.
For interviews and more information, please contact:
Anne Holt | Wesley Mission | 0418 628 342 | anne.holt@wesleymission.org.au