Hume Community Housing officially opened a new office in High Street, Maitland on 11 September at an event attended by more than sixty guests, including Maitland Mayor Cr. Loretta Baker and senior representatives from the NSW Department of Communities.
The opening was celebrated with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by elder James Wilson-Miller to recognise the transfer of around 2,200 homes and around 4,000 customers across Maitland and Port Stephens from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to Hume.
Nicola Lemon, CEO of Hume Community Housing, thanked the community for warmly welcoming Hume into the region and acknowledged the support of customers, partners and DCJ in ensuring Hume was ready to open on time.
“Today is the culmination of more than eighteen months of intensive planning as we have readied Hume to double in size to accommodate our Hunter customers,” Nicola said.
“Since we were awarded the transfer, we’ve been actively building relationships with community groups and local businesses.
“In May, we were able to commence meeting our customers, often in their homes beginning to understand their aspirations and service needs and to ensure their transition over to us was a smooth one,” she continued.
Hume’s entry into the region has delivered a boost to the local economy through the creation of over forty employment opportunities and the establishment of two offices – with a second office in Raymond Terrace announced the week before.
Hume has established working partnerships with several local service providers including Maitland Interagency Group, Department of Communities and Justice District Team, Hunter New England Mental Health Service, Maitland City Council, The Smith Family, Woodberry Family Centre and Port Stephens Council to support the delivery of services to customers.
Nicola said that the reception to their Hunter offices has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive.
“There’s a genuine sense of optimism throughout the communities we are serving including Rutherford, East Maitland, Woodberry, and Raymond Terrace, with customers telling us they’re looking forward to having Hume partner with them,” she said.
“We provide opportunities for people and communities to prosper and we’re passionate about delivering results for the people of the Hunter.”
Hume will begin to introduce some of their award-winning programs into the Hunter, stressing that local needs and customer participation will determine which programs and supports are delivered.
Hume secured the largest social housing transfer in NSW in 2018 under the Social Housing Management Transfers (SHMT) program, part of a broader program of around 14,000 properties across NSW transferring from DCJ to nine registered community housing providers.
They have worked closely with the NSW Government to deliver a seamless transition for new customers.
Paul Vevers, Deputy Secretary from the Department of Communities and Justice said this is the beginning of a new era for housing tenants in the Hunter.
“The extra funds which Hume Housing receives will really help to provide a better service for people in need of assistance with their housing,” Paul said.
“I am delighted at Hume Housing’s success in taking over management of these properties and am confident tenants will be just as delighted.”
IMAGE |Melanie Gibbons MP (Parliamentary Secretary for Families, Disability, and Emergency Services), Cr. Loretta Baker (Mayor of Maitland Council), Nicola Lemon (CEO of Hume Community Housing), Robert Vine (Chairperson of Hume Community Housing’s Board), The Hon. Robyn Parker (Member of Hume Community Housing’s Board) and James Wilson-Miller (member of the local Gringai clan) (Left-Right)
