Housing Plus are currently rolling out a project under the NSW Government Home Energy Action Program (HEAP) Department of Planning Industry & Environment (DPIE). The HEAP is funded through a co-contribution at 50/50 between HP & DPIE. The Program commenced November 2020.
The project aims to deliver a range of financial, health and wellbeing benefits to low-income tenants in up to 250 dwellings through the installation of energy efficiency measures. Most of these properties are in and around Orange and Bathurst.
Housing Plus’s is implementing a range of thermal comfort and energy efficient measures to help Tenants to
Reduce energy costs
Improve health, wellbeing, and comfort
Provide household comfort across all seasonal variances
Engage with Tenants in behaviour change associated with improved understanding and capacity to manage energy use
The project will do this through the delivery of the below measures:
Installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays at 150 properties
Installation of the solar PV arrays may be coupled with draught proofing on an as needs basis
Installation of up to 100 reverse cycle split system air-conditioners. In general, these will replace highly inefficient electric heaters
Contain and reduce energy costs
Decrease the risk of energy and fuel poverty
The Program commenced November 2020 with the Solar PV’s. Twelve systems have already been installed in Bathurst with the remainder scheduled for completion by the 30th April 2021.
We have just concluded the procurement process for the installation of the reverse cycle split system air-conditioners which will commence in January 2021 and are scheduled for completion by 30th April 2021.
Housing Plus will build and provide 60 new affordable homes across Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Parkes, Mudgee and Dubbo in the coming years after being awarded a further contract with the NSW Government.
These 60 new dwellings will be in addition to the 220 affordable homes that Housing Plus is currently delivering across the Central West NSW since February 2019. Over the last 18 months Housing Plus have built and tenanted 93 homes in Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange, providing much needed high-quality well-located, energy efficient homes for families while creating jobs in regional NSW. It is on track to complete the remaining 127 by 2021.
“We are delighted to secure this additional investment in the Central West and provide more affordable housing and jobs at this time. The difference that having a home can make to families is enormous.”
Housing Plus CEO David Fisher
There is an acute shortage of affordable housing across the region. Recent research by UNSW has estimated that some 5,500 new properties are needed across the Central West to meet the expected growth in population. The 2018 Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare Australia reports that less than 5% of available houses were affordable and appropriate for a couple with no children receiving the age pension. Only 1% of properties are affordable for a single person on an aged pension.
The 60 new properties will be a mix of 4, 3, 2 and 1-bedroom homes and designed to meet the silver Liveable Housing Design Guidelines that meet the needs of older people and people with a disability.
The new homes have been designed to achieve 7.5-star NatHERS energy efficiency rating to help tenants keep their energy bills low, as well as being good for the environment. In addition, these homes will also have solar photovoltaic panels, and split systems installed, which will further reduce the running costs for these homes making them more affordable in the long term for our tenants.
As well as providing families with, affordable housing, Housing Plus will link tenants and household members with local services to help them work towards greater independence. There is a focus on supporting vulnerable older women.
“Housing Plus has been delivering new housing since 2019 and are currently ahead of schedule. These additional dwellings will be added to our existing program and delivered in 2021/22. Funding for the construction is being provided by new private borrowings that Housing Plus will undertake. An extension of $20.5 million on the existing $95 million facility with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will allow Housing Plus to build the additional 60 homes to make a total of 280 new affordable homes to rent in the Central West by 2022.” says David Fisher, CEO Housing Plus.
CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth said: “The CEFC is delighted to strengthen our support for Housing Plus to enable it to continue its work delivering affordable housing across Central West NSW.
“Cleaner, greener homes produce fewer emissions, and they also cost less to heat and cool, meaning we can extend the economic benefits of clean energy technologies to tenants of affordable housing.”
The recent announcement that Housing Plus will be delivering the Together Home program across Bathurst and Cabonne areas of Central West NSW was welcomed by CEO David Fisher. Together Home is a new NSW government initiative aimed at tackling rough sleeping. Those sleeping rough in our communities will be rapidly housed and given on going wrap around support, to help them take the first steps towards breaking the cycle of disadvantage and staying off the streets for good.
Local Member for Bathurst , Paul Toole says “This initiative will change lives for the better, by supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community on the pathway to independence.”
The program will be delivered in Bathurst by Housing Plus which will lease properties in the private rental market to house people previously sleeping rough.
“The Together Home project will provide people with access to the assistance they need to maintain their tenancy, improve their health and wellbeing and move towards greater community participation,”
Paul Toole, Member for Bathurst
Housing Plus CEO David Fisher said his organization was in a unique position to be able to provide support services, as well as help secure the accommodation.
“As a Homelessness Service Provider, Housing Plus looks forward to working with other providers and volunteer organisations in Bathurst to bring this important service forward as soon as funding is received.” Mr Fisher said.
“We are proud to be providing secure housing and coordinated assistance for people who have been sleeping rough in our community”.
The NSW Government is investing $36 million in Together Home, the largest housing response dedicated to rough sleeping in NSW history.
Mr Toole said the projectwill help hundreds of people across the state break the cycle of homelessness.
“Our housing, homelessness and health providers will be working around the clock in coming months to help people take the first steps towards breaking the cycle of disadvantage and staying off the streets for good.”
The NSW Government has invested more than $70 million to prevent and respond to homelessness during the pandemic, on top of the more than $1 billion invested this financial year in housing and homelessness support.
This year the theme for Homelessness Week (#HW2020) is Everybody Needs a Home and Homelessness Australia is partnering with Everybody’s Home on campaign activities.
Housing Plus provides the homelessness and housing support service to vulnerable people in Orange. In 2019-20, Housing Plus saw 1,390 people seeking homelessness support from their service, 778 of whom were women. 580 people were aged 25-64 years, 372 people who were seeking help have been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
As at 30 June 2020 there are 196 people on the Social Housing waiting list in Orange, with expected waiting time of 5-10 years for a one-bedroom property and 2-5 years for 2,3,4+ bedroom properties.
For those who are at risk of homelessness, the Homelessness and Housing Support Team can assist in a variety of ways.
“As well as providing crisis and transitional housing to people that are already homeless, we aim to prevent homelessness by helping people to sustain their tenancy. This is achieved through re-negotiating tenancy agreements, helping to put repayment plans in place, assisting with property care and linking people with services that can assist them with a range of social, welfare and legal needs.”
Penny Dordoy, Head of Community Service, Housing Plus
The recent announcement that Housing Plus will be delivering the Together Home program across Bathurst and Cabonne areas of Central West NSW was welcomed by CEO David Fisher. Together Home is a new NSW government initiative aimed at tackling rough sleeping. Those sleeping rough in our communities will be rapidly housed and given on going wrap around support, to help them take the first steps towards breaking the cycle of disadvantage and staying off the streets for good.
“As a Homelessness Service Provider and Community Housing Provider Housing Plus looks forward to working with other providers and volunteer organisations in our communities to bring this important service forward. We have received funding to provide 10 properties and support services.”
David Fisher, CEO Housing Plus
“We are proud to be providing secure housing and coordinated support assistance for people who have been sleeping rough in our community”.
Housing Plus will be supporting Everybody’s Home email the treasurer action to be launched on August 3, to build pressure on the Treasurer to include social housing investment in the Budget, we will be promoting this via our Facebook page for members of the community that would like to support this action.
David Fisher, Housing Plus, CEO, said he hopes to use the opportunity during Homelessness Week to talk with the leaders of our community about the issues that are driving homelessness in Orange, in particular how the housing affordability crisis has created a dire shortage of affordable options for people on very low incomes.
The Opportunity Pathways program launched in May 2019.
After 12 months of working with some amazing motivated people, with their permission, we would like to share some of their stories with you.
The Opportunity Pathways connects social housing clients and their household members to access practical and financial assistance, training and work opportunities to help them prepare for employment, find a job, work more hours or improve their employment options.
We are located in Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Broken Hill.
To be eligible to access our service, you must be over 17 and be in community or social housing or are on a waiting list for housing.
Some quotes from our clients
“Joining this program has changed my life. Last year I decided to go to TAFE, the support from this program made that possible. I completed certificate 4 in community services and now I am working 50 hours a fortnight as a case worker. With a lot of hard work and an amazing amount of support from those who run this program I have been able to make a better life for my 4 children and myself.” Cassandra.
“My support worker and the help I have been offered make achieving my work goals that little bit closer is amazing. The access to courses, housing support and mental health support has helped me in so many ways I highly recommend this program.” Sharla
“I suffer anxiety and when I was referred to Opportunity Pathways the Program Coach assisted my little family and myself to find housing in Dubbo then into TAFE to commence my Certificate 111 in Early Childhood. I am so glad that I was referred to Opportunity Pathways and the on-going case management so I can complete my studies this year and gain employment in 2021. I appreciate everything Robyn as the Program Coach has done for my family.” Jasmine
“I was homeless and referred to Opportunity Pathways. I met Robyn the Program Coach who assisted me into getting my Traffic Control Certificate and then employment. As the employment was in another town Robyn assisted with petrol and food vouches so I could commence work. I am no longer homeless, jobless and have shared custody of my son.” Kyle
Our Clients Stories
Shamika
Shamika is a client of Opportunity Pathways in Dubbo. Shamika completed Year 12 in Dubbo last year but didn’t get an ATAR score to enrol in University this year.
Shamika’s dream is to go to University to study a Bachelor in Social Welfare and will be the first person in her family to attend University. Shamika was unsure how she would be able to get into University and was referred to Opportunity Pathways. After meeting with the Opportunity Pathways Coach – Robyn, Shamika was able to map out a pathway to work towards her dream and is currently completing a Certificate III in Community Services at TAFE. Once completed she will be able to apply for University.
Opportunity Pathways also found part-time work for Shamika with an employer who was happy to work around her studies. Shamika is currently working 2 days per week and studying 3 days.
Shamika was also very keen to gain her licence to become more independent by being able to transport herself to her work and study commitments. Opportunity Pathways assisted Shamika to gain her Learner’s Licence and are also now further assisting by providing Driving Lessons.
Max
Max connected to Opportunity Pathways in Orange 9 months ago. Max had recently relocated and was seeking work. After discussion with his program coach Max decided to change career focus from hospitality to community services. Opportunity Pathways assisted Max meet this goal through practical support such as provision of a laptop for studying and job hunting as well as ongoing support and mentoring. Max now works in the community services industry and is about halfway through his cert IV in community services!!
Quote from Max “My case manager is extremely supportive, and he helped me get my first job in the industry. I hope other young people continue to be supported to make positive changes and they are helped as much as I have been.”
Max took this photo of himself from the laptop he was able to obtain through Opportunity Pathways for his studies. Go Max!!! You’re doing a great job!!
Samantha
Our client Samantha has been working with one of our Opportunity Pathways coaches Jess, Samantha had a few goals when starting with our service: – Obtain RSA – Bookkeeping and Admin skills – Cash Handling experience – employment
Since commencing with Opportunity Pathways Samantha has obtained her RSA and in doing so was able to work at a local town event behind the bar which also gave her cash handling experience. With support from Jess, Samantha enrolled in and is currently completing a TAFE course in Microsoft Programs to assist with her admin skills goal. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 Samantha was struggling to continue her TAFE course as she did not have a computer at home. Opportunity Pathways was able to supply her with a laptop so she can complete her TAFE course safely at home. Samantha has also recently gained casual employment!!!
Samantha has almost completed all her goals! Go Samantha!
Natasha
Opportunity Pathways client Natasha had several goals when she started with Opportunity Pathways:
– Gain Interview and job application skills – Obtain full time employment – Enrol in Certificate IV in Community Services – Complete Certificate IV in Community Services
Opportunity Pathways worked with Natasha who had been seeking several jobs as a support worker. She had quite an impressive resume with a lot of relevant experience however was having difficulty in securing work. Over a number of sessions, Opportunity Pathways worked comprehensively on Cover Letter writing skills and interview skills – even completing mini mock interviews to help her prepare. Natasha successfully secured work as a disability support worker from one of the job applications we worked on together and is now doing full time hours and working towards her Certificate IV in Community Services. We have also supported Natasha with Fuel vouchers so she could attend the job interviews and orientation, work clothes to ensure she was equipped with everything she needed for work, and a laptop so Natasha is able to successfully complete her Certificate IV.
Dylan
One of our fabulous Program Coaches has been working with Dylan for only 2 weeks. Dylan’s goals are to; -Complete a certificate 111 in aged care -Secure employment in this area, and -Have safe independent housing.
Within 2 weeks our program coach was able to help Dylan secure additional weekly funds, obtain personal care items, apply for private rentals and secure a laptop to complete his certificate 111 in aged care online. Dylan is now on the right track to securing his certificate and obtaining safe and independent housing!
Sharla
Sharla has been working with one of our Program coaches from Bathurst. She is an amazing single mum of two boys, and has spent a lot of her time supporting her youngest who has high needs. Sharla is qualified to work in the childcare industry and Opportunity Pathways was assisting Sharla to find employment in that industry however, Sharla noticed there was not enough professional support for young kids with high needs and has since enrolled in Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance to follow her passion and try to create more opportunities/support for children who needed it.
Opportunity Pathways financially assisted Sharla with course costs as well as setting her up with a laptop to be able to complete her course at home, which will allow Sharla to enter a career she is personally and professionally passionate about. Opportunity Pathways also assisted Sharla with a Housing transfer application, linking in with community agencies to support her through this process.
Sharla has been able to identify a career she is passionate about and with support from the Opportunity Pathways Team she is well on her way to achieving her goals!
If you are seeking training or employment support Opportunity Pathways may be able to help you.
