New Social Housing Completed At Lambton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery is welcoming the completion of a significant social housing project at Lambton.

Five older homes on Robinson Avenue have been replaced with a modern 20-unit development, providing safe accommodation for up to 37 residents.

The $9 million development consists of eight one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom units, with two units able to accommodate wheelchair users.

Sonia Hornery says the move will see more homes available for the many people on the social housing waitlist across the Hunter.  

The new social housing development at Lambton

Hunter Housing Providers Call for More Investment into Rent Assistance and Dwellings Ahead of Federal Budget Release

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A Hunter-based community housing provider is calling on the Federal Government to make a serious commitment to end the housing crisis felt across the Hunter and Australia when it delivers it's budget tonight. 

Recent data out of Communities and Justice NSW indicates the expected wait time for a one bedroom studio in Newcastle is between two and five years. 

Two, three, and four bedroom properties have a wait list between five and ten years. 

As of June last year, there were more than 1,700 applicants on the waitlist for social housing in Newcastle, with 111 in high need of a home. 

Home in Place Executive Manager of Business and Public Affairs, Martin Kennedy, said they're hoping to see a commitment made to increase rent assistance, in a bid to ease pressure on the private rental market, and in turn, the social housing sector. 

"You can't allow something as fundamental as secure housing to be something that only well-off people can afford. Having that sort of arrangement is completely corrosive to society and to the economy, and that's the direction we're headed in," he said. 

"It's incredibly important that we put this right." 

The organisation is also hoping the budget will include a boost to the Housing Australia Future Fund. 

Mr Kennedy said it's obvious more houses need to be built in order to cater for a growing number of struggling Hunter residents. 

"The current level of 30,000 dwellings is better than nothing, but it would be good to see it increased." 

Violence Victims Left with Nowhere to Go

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Restricted government funding has left over 100 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie domestic violence victims without safe and secure housing.

Domestic violence services are at maximum capacity, while women and children continue to struggle to find safe accommodation. 

Over the past four weeks, 77 women and 31 children were unable to be accommodated by crisis refuges. 

Ongoing pressure to meet the demand for crisis accommodation is growing, as the number of case referrals increase. 

Newcastle Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Manager Suellyn Moore, said domestic violence services and victims are pleading for support from the NSW government. 

"Unless there are real time results, we're going to see more people stay in DV relationships," she said.  

There's concerns, without sufficient funding for safe and secure housing, the number of women and children left struggling to find safe accommodation will continue to rise across the region and the state. 

 

New Homes Delivered for Residents in Crisis

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A new social housing development has been completed in Newcastle. 

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin announced yesterday, the completion of the $3.9 million project on Stannett Street in Waratah West. 

The development includes three one-bedroom and five two-bedroom units, as well as parking for four cars, sun shades, and easy access to parks, bus stops and essential services. 

It will provide eight homes, helping 14 local residents put a roof over their heads. 

The news comes amid a housing crisis across the Hunter region and the state. 

Recent figures indicate there are more than 50,000 people on the NSW social housing waitlist, with 4,500 of those coming from the Hunter. 

Additionally, rental vacancy in the region sits at just 1%. 

Mr Martin said the Waratah project is just one of ten developments which make up a $47 million pipeline for Newcastle, aiming to provide 138 homes for Novocastrians over three years. 

Newcastle set to see $60 million social housing pipeline

BY DAKOTA TAIT

148 new homes will be developed across Newcastle over the next three years, as part of a $60 million social housing pipeline backed by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation.

Eight new units on Stannett Street at Waratah West are set to be completed and ready for tenants to move in by the end of the month.

The twelve projects also include a 20-unit development at Lambton, and there's discussion around another potential project at Wallsend.

It comes after a Memorandum of Understanding between Newcastle Council and the Land and Housing Corporation to fast-track priority social housing and alleviate housing pressure.

Newcastle Council and the State Government have each put in $6 million for the delivery of new housing. 

An artist's impression of a unit development at Waratah West.

New Social Housing Project Under Way At Waratah West

 BY IAN CROUCH

Work is under way on a new social housing project at Waratah West.

Two ageing homes in Landa Parade are making way for a 10-unit double story architect-designed complex featuring six two-bedroom units and four one-bedroom units.

It's part of the state government's $250 million investment to fast-track the delivery of homes across the state and is one of six projects either completed or in the pipeline across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland over the next two years.

NSW Land and Housing Corporation Acting Chief Executive, Deborah Brill says it follows a memorandum of understanding signed in December with Newcastle Council to boost the stock of social housing.

"We're working closely with the City of Newcastle as a priority to create and deliver more social and affordable housing across the region," she said.

The Landa Parade project is due for completion in December 2022.

Artist's impression of the social housing project in Landa Parade at Waratah West