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The Brickworks, Bathurst’s new affordable housing site

The Brickworks, Bathurst’s new affordable housing site

Article Published in the Western Advocate 26.6.20

CAPTION : David Hines of Hines Constructions, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, Sam Farraway MLC, mayor Bobby Bourke and Housing Plus CEO David Fisher.

A NEW affordable housing development will be available to some of the city’s most vulnerable before the end of the year.

Work is moving at a great pace at The Brickworks on the corner of Havannah and Baillie Streets, where Housing Plus has invested $6.4 million to have an affordable housing complex built.

Housing Plus is delivering this project through the NSW Government’s $1.1 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), and local company Hines Constructions has been hired to do the work.

Housing Plus CEO David Fisher, said the location was chosen due to its proximity to the central business district.

“Housing Plus started in Bathurst over 30 years ago as a housing provider, so we have over 300 properties in Bathurst at the moment,” he said.

“In terms of this development, it’s a convenient location for the centre of town, so it will be convenient for our tenants to access shopping and other services and it provides enough space for the number of properties we wanted to provide.”

Twenty units will be built and they’ll be a mix of one and two bedroom dwellings.

The complex has been designed to fit within the existing heritage area and Hines Constructions’ David Hines said they’re being built with all the mod-cons.

“We’ve got twenty brick veneer dwellings here. Each has got its own carport, there’s a mix of one and two-bed units, they’re fully insulated, they’ve got all the mod-cons in it, so I’m sure they’ll be good for another 50 or 60 years,” he said.

The complex will be utilised by people who are on low incomes, including people at risk of homelessness, victims of domestic violence, older women, people with serious medical conditions and people with disabilities.

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, who visited the site on Thursday, said it was an important project for the community.

“It’s going to make a big difference to the lives of so many people in our local area; it actually prevents things like homelessness and it provides affordable rent for people in our local community,” he said.

Construction on the complex is due for completion in October and shortly after that tenants can move in.

People who would like to live in this development are asked to contact Housing Plus to signal their interest.

“Basically you’re put on a property register and those most in need are allocated a property,” Mr Fisher said.

The development application was lodged with Bathurst Regional Council in 2019 and approved in August 2019.

Mayor Bobby Bourke said he was pleased this site was finally going to be utilised, especially for something so important. “I grew up in a Housing Commission house, so I know what it’s like for families to struggle, so I’m glad to see in my term [as mayor] for something to come about for people in need,” he said.

The Brickworks development is part of Housing Plus’ $75 million investment to provide 220 new homes across the Central West as part of the SAHF.

There will be 51 affordable homes built in Bathurst over a three-year period, which equates to a $16.5 million spend in the local economy.

Housing Plus looking at September reopening for former nursing home

Housing Plus looking at September reopening for former nursing home

Caption: Father Paul Devitt, Gary Wright, Housing Plus, Justin Cantelo, Housing Plus, Project Director, and Catholic Bishop of Bathurst, the Most Reverend Michael McKenna, outside the former Opal Aged Care Facility.

Article published in the Western Advocate 23 June 2020

PLANS to reopen the former Kelso nursing home as emergency accommodation are still afoot with Housing Plus hoping the project will be operational later this year.

Last year the former Opal Aged Care Facility was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst with plans to utilise the former 80-bed facility to house the homeless, and those fleeing domestic violence or other situations.

The operation of the facility is being managed by Housing Plus, a specialist service provider directly supporting individuals in the region who are experiencing homelessness and family violence.

While COVID-19 has delayed the reopening, Housing Plus Chief Executive Officer, David Fisher, said there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes.

“The former, currently unused, Opal Nursing Home at Kelso will soon be operating as Housing Plus Connect and will serve as both an office and community space for our housing and community services staff as well as for community purposes with a further proposal to provide accommodation and services to women and children who are escaping domestic and family violence.

“These services include tenancy and maintenance services and our community programs including training and employment program, Opportunity Pathways, which supports social housing clients 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.”

Mr Fisher said from July 1, the Bathurst and Lithgow Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from our current Bathurst office and in due course relocate to Housing Plus Connect as will the team responsible for building 51 new homes currently under construction by Housing Plus including those at Havannah Street in Bathurst.

“While there have been some delays, we expect to be open in mid – late September.

“In the meantime we have been working with the local Bathurst Rotary Daybreak to redistribute medical supplies and furniture left by the former operator.

“This was done with the support of the Bathurst Diocese who are the owners of the building,” he said.

Donation brings domestic violence centre to completion

Donation brings domestic violence centre to completion

Orange’s first Domestic Violence Crisis Centre, The Orchard, is on track to be operational later this year, thanks to a $75,000 donation towards the fit out and provision of furniture from Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations (Cadia).
The donation is part of Newcrest’s $20M Community Support Fund which has been established to assist their local communities cope with the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was approved during National Domestic Violence Prevention month in May, when authorities reported a concerning increase in domestic violence which was attributed in part to the impacts of COVID-19.
The financial support has been welcomed by Housing Plus.
Housing Plus Chief Executive Officer, David Fisher, said “Cadia were one of the first local businesses to show support for The Orchard and have again been willing to help by committing a further $75,000 towards the remaining fit out costs. The Orchard is now nearing completion and we look forward to helping those women and children in need of support.”
Acting General Manager, Aaron Brannigan, said Cadia donated $75,000 towards the construction of the Orchard in 2017 and is proud to step up again with a further donation to ensure the completion of the project.
“We share the vision of Housing Plus for this facility. We were one of the first organisations to support their ambitious fundraising campaign for the Orchard in 2017, and we were proud to stand with them as it comes to fruition. This donation will enable Housing Plus to complete the project and to provide access to safe accommodation and support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence in Orange,” Aaron said.
“COVID-19 has affected everyone in many different ways. Due to recent government restrictions we were advised that upcoming fundraising opportunities had been postponed. We felt Orange had waited long enough for this facility and we didn’t want the hard work of Housing Plus to be met with delays.”
Construction of The Orchard commenced in November 2019 and Cadia’s donation will provide the furnishings towards the Centre’s common area kitchen, lounge room and outdoor areas, with furniture being sourced locally.
The Orchard will provide a safe, multi-purpose crisis centre for women and children that are deemed high risk and require 24-hour support.
Sadly, rates of domestic violence in the Orange region are double the state average and until now, Orange was the only regional NSW city that does not have refuge for victims, assessed by NSW Police as “at serious threat of further injury or death.”

Photo Caption: L to R

Aaron Brannigan, Acting General Manager Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations, David Fisher, CEO Housing Plus, Justin Cantelo Projects Director Housing Plus, Penny Dordoy, Head of Community Services Housing Plus

 

A new Housing Plus local centre for Bathurst

A new Housing Plus local centre for Bathurst

Housing Plus is soon to commence renovations to transform the former Opal aged care facility in Boyd Street, Kelso, into a local service base for a range of its community services as well as a multipurpose centre for residents and groups of Kelso/South Bathurst and the wider community.

The new Housing Plus Connect office will contain meeting, conference and event facilities for up to 60 people. Housing Plus will also relocate its existing Bathurst-based community services to the centre. These include tenancy and maintenance services and its training and employment program, Opportunity Pathways, which supports social housing clients 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. From 1 July, the Bathurst and Lithgow Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from there as will the team responsible for building 51new homes currently under construction on Bathurst.

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst purchased the property in late 2019 and has since entered into a lease agreement with Housing Plus to manage and operate the premises. Housing Plus is a not for profit, charity that provides both accommodation and community services and has operated in Bathurst for over 30 years.

Housing Plus CEO, David Fisher, says, “We have outgrown our current Howick Street office and with a range of new community services we were looking for new premises. This arrangement with the Diocese is ideal as it brings back into use a large facility for community use.’

As part of the renovation process, the Diocese and Housing Plus have distributed furniture to the local homelessness service in Bathurst. The Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak is helping Housing Plus to distribute the medical equipment and furniture left at the aged care facility when the patients were relocated.

The medical equipment will be going to a charity called Donations in Kind who will be accepting the beds, battery operated lifters, walking frames and wheelchairs and donating them to hospitals in the Pacific Region.

“Members of the Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak have donated their time to assess the equipment and make it ready for transport to their warehouse in Castlehill. From here it will be distributed throughout the Pacific region with the first shipment to Timor-Leste. This has been a most valuable gift and we have been delighted to work with Housing Plus and the Catholic Diocese in this way” said Erik Mol, Club President.

Photo Caption – L to R: Fr Paul Devitt, the Vicar General, Catholic Diocese, Irene Jones, Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak, Gary Wright, Manager Assets & Procurement, Housing Plus, Erik Mol, President, Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak, David Fisher, CEO, Housing Plus

Media Release – Support for tenants under rental stress

Media Release

30 March 2020

Housing Plus welcomes government commitments to ensure tenants are safely housed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Housing Plus support Real Estate Agents and owners who are working with their tenants experiencing rental stress due to job loss as a result of COVID-10, to help to keep them in their homes.

If there are private tenants who are worried about being evicted, Housing Plus encourages them to get in touch with their real estate agent and if necessary, there is helpful advice from organisations such as Verto or their local Homelessness Service provider.

David Fisher, CEO, Housing Plus says “My message to Housing Plus customers is we are here to help. You will not lose your house if you have lost your job. We invite any Housing Plus customer who as a result of COVID-19, are now in financial distress and unable to meet their commitments to contact us on 1800 603 300. We will work with individual households to tailor arrangements based on their needs and keep them in their home.”

“We wish to reassure our customers that the additional Coronavirus Supplements, Special Payments or the Government Stimulus Payment are not assessable income for social housing tenants. This means around 90% of our customers will have more money in their household budget, almost double, to meet expenses whilst continuing to pay their rent.” says David.

“Our priority remains in keeping our customers in their home, maintaining our services and helping the most vulnerable. We will be introducing a new Good Neighbour service for customers isolated by COVID-19 later this week.” David says

Housing Plus are ensuring their other essential services continue to operate including homelessness, domestic family violence and employment and training.  Clients and customers are encouraged to call the office to talk to service specialists, rather than dropping into their local offices. Details on how to contact Housing Plus has been provided to our customers and will be part of our regular updates.

Though the way Housing Plus operate has changed for now, we continue to serve and support our communities. Housing Plus would like to thank its partners, government departments and wider community for its support.

Details of how Housing Plus are delivering their services can be found on our website www.housingplus.com.au

 

ENDS

For further information, or to organise an interview telephone Communications Coordinator, Rochelle Monaghan, on 0419 960 710 or email rochelle@housingplus.com.au

For more information about Housing Plus, visit www.housingplus.com.au