by Rochelle | Dec 15, 2021 | All
An innovative collaboration is set to transform a neighbourhood into much needed new social housing for the people of Mudgee.
Housing Plus has developed a proposal for the redevelopment of the NSW Government properties on the corner of Winbourne and Mulgoa Way, Mudgee. The four existing occupied dwellings as well as the 13 unoccupied, ageing and unliveable bed sits, will be replaced with eight, energy efficient, new two-bedroom homes in 2022 after an agreement on the re-development of the site in partnership with the owners of the properties, the NSW Government’s Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC).
LAHC currently manage the unoccupied properties, while Housing Plus manage the occupied properties and will relocate the existing tenants into new accommodation that they are currently building in other parts of Mudgee.
“I think it’s great and there will be more housing for people and families and the old unused units are in appalling condition, so the new houses will make the street look a whole lot better” says Lynette a current tenant in Winbourne Street. “I can’t wait. I am looking forward to moving into a brand-new home that no one has lived in before. I have driven past the new home a few times and am very excited” she continued.
In addition to managing the construction of the $3 million NSW Government LAHC funded development, Housing Plus will also provide tenancy management and maintenance services for the new residents for at least the next two decades under a long-term lease with LAHC.
Housing Plus CEO David Fisher said “This redevelopment will replace some aged and empty properties with new social and affordable housing while also significantly improving the local area. Housing Plus have put forward a solution and is delighted to be working in collaboration with NSW Government in bringing this redevelopment forward. We expect to commence on site in late 2022 and will welcome our new tenants in early 2023. Those seeking housing can apply through the Pathways Register, our local office in Mudgee will also be able to provide advice closer to the time.”
This new development is in addition to the more than 300 affordable rental homes for low to moderate income earners that Housing Plus is currently building across Central West NSW between 2019 and December 2022.
David Fisher Housing Plus CEO, Dugald Saunders MP Minister for Dubbo Electorate, Lynette Housing Plus customer and Brad Cam Chair of Housing Plus Board at the Winbourne Street development site
by Rochelle | Dec 15, 2021 | All
The tenants of sixteen new affordable homes across Dubbo, Bathurst and Parkes are now all in their new homes ready for Christmas thanks to Housing Plus. The homes built for those on low to moderate incomes are part of Housing Plus’s affordable development program which will see the Community Housing Provider build more than 305 across Western NSW by the end of 2023.
The one and two-bedroom homes are all high-quality and energy efficient homes which successfully achieved greater than 7-stars under the National Home Energy Rating System (NatHERS). This rating has significant benefits to tenants for both thermal comfort, which is identified as one of the most important factors for tenants, as well as providing low energy cost housing.
Housing Plus also provide tenants with more than housing, tenants also have access to other support services to ensure that they sustain their tenancy as well as thrive within their community.
“We are delighted to be providing these much-needed new homes in regional towns across Western NSW. Our new customers in these homes will also benefit from the tailored support we are able to offer them to assist with their health, education and employment needs. Our work shows the impact that we can have in the regional communities by locally based regional Community Housing Providers working with Government to meet local needs” says David Fisher Chief Executive Officer of Housing Plus.
by Rochelle | Dec 1, 2021 | All
Housing Plus is delighted to announce that David Fisher, our Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed to the position of Chair of Homelessness NSW.
Homelessness NSW (HNSW) is a not-for-profit organisation that operates as a peak agency for its member organisations to end homelessness across NSW. They advocate and provide leadership on homelessness issues across NSW and support effective service delivery to those who are experiencing homelessness, have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Their members include small, locally based community organisations, multiservice agencies with a regional reach and large state-wide service providers, Housing Plus is a proud member of Homelessness NSW.
David is passionate about improving the quality of lives of individuals and communities through the provision of high quality, secure and affordable housing.
Since joining Housing Plus in 2016 the organisation has secured and is delivering one of the largest regional social and affordable house building programs, expanded its domestic family violence services and is a leading proponent of improving the standards and service of emergency accommodation for victims of domestic abuse.
Housing Plus congratulate David on his appointment and look forward to seeing the benefits of the work that HNSW continue to provide to the communities of NSW.
by Rochelle | Nov 1, 2021 | All
Housing Plus is delighted to announce that our Head of Community Services Penny Dordoy has been appointed to the Domestic Violence NSW Board. Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) is the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in New South Wales. They work from a feminist, social justice perspective and recognise that domestic and family violence (DFV) is serious, prevalent, and driven by gender inequality.
Penny has 20 years’ experience in the NFP and Government sectors, including her previous role as Manager of the Central West Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy service (WDVCAS), and led the implementation of the first regional Local Coordination Point and Safety Action Meeting as part of the Safer Pathway reforms.
Penny, as Head of Community Services for Housing Plus, is responsible for the teams who deliver tailored support programs and maintains key partner relationships. She oversees two Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS), covering 22 courts in Central and Western NSW, other domestic violence and homelessness services including our innovative men’s behaviour change program, Commit and Change, as well as other services designed to break the cycle of disadvantage and poverty. She was central to the inception, design and development of The Orchard in Orange, a gold standard, purpose-built domestic and family violence refuge using the core and cluster model.
We congratulate Penny on her appointment and look forward to seeing the benefits of the work that DVNSW continue to provide to the communities of NSW.
by Rochelle | Oct 14, 2021 | All
ALL of our services continue to be fully operational however we continue to ask our customers to contact us to make an appointment where possible prior to attending our offices so we can manage our staff availability and social distancing.
Only our Orange office is open with staff working on a rotation basis so it is best to contact us via phone or email first.
by Rochelle | Sep 24, 2021 | All
Stay-at-home orders in Orange, Cabonne and Blayney LGA’s have now been lifted. All other LGA’s where we offer services and support are still under stay-at-home orders.
ALL of our services continue to be fully operational however from Monday 27th September our Orange office ONLY will re-open.
We continue to ask our customers to contact us to make an appointment where possible prior to attending our Orange office so we can manage our staff availability and social distancing. Please note not all staff are returning to the office, we are working on a rotation basis so it is best to contact us via phone or email first.
For our tenants, routine inspections and maintenance will be gradually reintroduced with normal notice of inspections to be given as required by the Residential Tenancy Act.
We are excited and happy for the community of Orange and our thoughts are with those who are still under stay-at-home orders.
by Rochelle | Aug 31, 2021 | All
Housing Plus is delivering the largest regional affordable housing build project in Australia with more than 305 new affordable rental homes for low to moderate income earners across Orange, Bathurst, Parkes, Lithgow, Mudgee, Forbes, Blayney, Cowra and Dubbo.
Since commencing this build program in 2019 we have been able to provide new homes for 179 households so far. The remaining properties are scheduled to be finished by the between now and the end of 2023, seeing over 460 residents in brand new affordable homes by this time. Housing Plus provide tenants with more than housing, tenants also have access to other support services to ensure that they sustain their tenancy as well as thrive within their community. “We are delighted to be providing these much-needed new homes and are recognise that there are extreme shortages of affordable houses available across Regional NSW. Just as important is the support that we are able to offer our new customers. Tailored support to assist them with the health, education and employment needs. Our work shows the impact that we can have in the regional communities by locally based regional community housing providers working with government at State and Commonwealth levels to meet local needs” says David Fisher Chief Executive Officer of Housing Plus.
There are other benefits to new tenants too. Housing Plus are building high-quality and energy efficient homes which successfully achieved greater than 7 stars under the National Home Energy Rating System (NatHERS). “Housing Plus aims to assist its customers by providing low energy cost housing. All our new homes are built to 7-star NatHERS which will reduce the running costs of these properties for years to come and is great for the environment” says Justin Cantelo Project Director for Housing Plus.
These additional new homes come at a critical time with increased demand and pressure on the rental market across the region which has resulted in a loss of available rental properties.
Here is the breakdown on where we are delivering these new affordable homes across the Central West.
| TOWN |
HOMES DELIVERED SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROGRAM |
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOMES TO BE DELIVERED BY DECEMBER 2023 |
| Orange |
22 |
56 |
| Bathurst |
36 |
70 |
| Parkes |
8 |
14 |
| Cowra |
4 |
4 |
| Dubbo |
109 |
128 |
| Lithgow |
0 |
12 |
| Mudgee |
0 |
14 |
| Blayney |
0 |
4 |
| Forbes |
0 |
4 |
by Rochelle | Aug 15, 2021 | All
In response to the Stay-at-Home orders in place across Regional NSW all Housing Plus offices are closed. We remain fully operational with staff working remotely.
We ask that our customers contact their Housing Officer or Support Coordinator/case worker directly.
If you have any questions please contact us on: 1800 603 300 or email info@housingplus.com.au
by Rochelle | Aug 11, 2021 | All
Additional Update Wednesday 11 August:
Due to further potential cases in the Central West we are taking a precautionary approach to ensure everyone’s safety, we still have no staff affected and Housing Plus remains fully operational.
- Bathurst office will close From Thursday 12 August. All Bathurst staff are working remotely
- Our Dubbo office is now closed. All staff are fully operational working remotely
- Our Mudgee office continues to be closed with all staff fully operational working remotely
- Our Orange office is operational however operating on skeleton staff. So ask anyone wishing to attend the office to please call ahead so that we can do a COVID screen to confirm you have not been to any hotspot areas and to assist us in continuing to manage social distancing requirements
If you have any questions please contact us on: 1800 603 300 or email info@housingplus.com.au
by Rochelle | Aug 11, 2021 | All
Wednesday 11 August: We continue to be fully operational however with confirmed cases in Dubbo and Dubbo LGA now in lockdown Housing Plus will continue to ensure the safety and health our staff, customers and clients. We have NO staff effected however we continue to monitor the situation as contact tracing is still occurring in the Dubbo LGA.
- Our Dubbo office is now closed. All staff are fully operational working remotely
- Our Mudgee office continues to be closed with all staff fully operational working remotely
- Our Orange and Bathurst offices are operational however we are asking anyone wishing to attend the offices to please call ahead so that we can do a COVID screen to confirm you have not been to any hotspot areas and to assist us in continuing to manage social distancing requirements
- If you have been in Dubbo since 1st August please remain at home, under the stay-at-home orders issued by the NSW Government
- Routine tenanted inspections and non-urgent maintenance scheduled for this week for Dubbo and Mudgee LGA’s will be rescheduled
- Emergency maintenance will continue
If you have any questions please contact us on: 1800 603 300 or email info@housingplus.com.au
Please ensure you we all do our part to keep our communities safe by continuing with COVID Safe Practices of check-ins, mandatory masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene.
