Million-dollar boost secured for social housing and jobs in the Hunter

Million-dollar boost secured for social housing and jobs in the Hunter

Hume Community Housing has been granted just under $4 million by the NSW Government to upgrade 70 social housing properties to provide jobs and improve homes in the Hunter region.

This program of works will be rolled-out by the end of June and the funding will improve the quality, safety, and comfort of homes with a variety of renovations taking place.

This funding allocation flows from 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.

Hume Community Housing’s Chief Executive Officer, Nicola Lemon said it’s long been a mission of theirs to ensure the local community is supported, and this funding will help to continue this impact

“Hume believes in supporting local communities and businesses, so local contractors will deliver these works and provide a boost to employment opportunities and create an economic stimulus in the region,” Nicola said.

“Hume intends to upgrade properties that will benefit the quality of life for our customers, as well as encourage greater pride in the local community.”

Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said the $40 million program will deliver capital works for more than 2,000 properties owned by 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,” Melinda 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 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.

Hume Community Housing is one of the largest community housing providers in Australia and in 2018 Hume secured the largest social housing transfer in NSW under the Social Housing Management Transfers (SHMT) program.

Here Hume assumed tenancy management of over 2,000 homes and 4,000 customers across the Maitland and Port Stephens local government areas.

On 1 July 2021 Hume Community Housing will take over the maintenance management of the SHMT properties from LAHC – which are currently responsible for overall maintenance of these buildings and not related to this stimulus package, which Hume will deliver.

IMAGE | Hume Community Housing reception area.

Hume Community Housing

Hume Community Housing is a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider with more than 30 years’ experience in providing homes and services to more than 9,000 customers across metropolitan and regional NSW.

Hume offers a full continuum of housing spanning temporary and transitional crisis housing through to long-term community and affordable housing. Hume also builds and develops new properties and provides tenancy management services for property owners.

Hume delivers life-changing results for individuals, families, youth, seniors, and people with disability through a range of customised wrap-around services supporting health, employment, and social connections. Hume has been awarded numerous sector awards in recognition of their expertise and service delivery and in their fostering of vibrant and connected communities where people prosper. 

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