A partnership between Homes NSW and Hume Housing will see 13 new homes built in Raymond Terrace through a land deal and funding from the Federal Government’s Social and Affordable Accelerator Fund (SHAF).
The innovative arrangement will see Homes NSW contribute land where three ageing dwellings currently sit. Hume Housing will manage the project transforming the site into six two-bedroom social homes, and seven new affordable townhouses – an uplift of more than four times the homes previously at the site.
Hume Housing will manage both the affordable and social homes, with the social homes to remain owned by Homes NSW.
The partnership is made possible through the Community Housing Providers (CHP) Direct Dealing Policy which provides CHPs opportunities to partner with Homes NSW in delivering more, better quality, fit for purpose and modern homes for people in need.
The Raymond Terrace project is the first to commence under the policy and Hume Housing will receive a $1.5 million grant from the SHAF to support the project’s delivery.
This project is supported by Port Stephens Council Raymond Terrace Masterplan which brings together State and Local Government and the Community Housing Sector in addressing the housing crisis through the delivery of greater housing diversity and affordability in Regional NSW.
Hume Housing worked closely with Port Stephens Council on their Development Application (DA) which was lodged last week.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in addressing housing needs in the Hunter Region.
“Through strategic collaborations like this, Homes NSW is proud to facilitate the transformation of underutilised spaces into vibrant communities.
“This project alone is growing the supply of homes in Raymond Terrace with the number of households who will benefit with a new place to call home increasing from three to thirteen.
“By working together with Hume Housing, we are not only revitalising the community of Raymond Terrace but also setting a precedent for innovative housing solutions.”
State Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:
“This shows what can be achieved when all levels of government work together, alongside our community housing partners, to deliver more homes for local families.
“This desperately needed project will be the biggest investment in social housing in Port Stephens for more than a decade.”
Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson said:
“Funding from the Albanese Labor Government in partnership with the State, and local provider Hume Housing will deliver 13 new homes in Raymond Terrace. A great initiative and worthy project for our region. A step toward addressing the housing crisis for people in need.”
Hume Housing Chief Executive Officer Brad Braithwaite said:
“Hume Housing is excited to be working alongside Minister Jackson and Homes NSW on developing innovative models for building strong communities and delivering more high quality affordable and social housing in the Hunter.
“Although Hume is a non-profit community housing provider, we are investing in this pilot project using our cherished reserves because we see it as a model with great potential for providing more significant and diverse housing solutions at scale for this region in the future.
“This is a relatively small pilot project, but we are very hopeful that from little things big things come. This collaboration demonstrates the impact of councils, state government, and community housing providers working together to tackle the housing crisis.”
For more information on the CHP Direct Dealing Policy visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/plans-and-policies/community-housing-providers-direct-dealing-policy