Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, Homes North CEO Maree McKenzie, tenants Trish Burley and Kady Gwynne and Homes North Board Deputy Chairman Rex Gream at the opening today of six new affordable housing units in Armidale.
Monday, 1 May 2017
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall joined not-for-profit provider Homes North’s CEO Maree McKenzie today at the official opening of an affordable housing complex in Stephen Street, Armidale.
The $2.1 million development comprises six homes built by Hibbards Developers for Homes North and provides environmentally friendly apartments that will provide long-term budget accommodation to Armidale locals, while keeping energy bills low.
Five of the six apartments are already occupied and residents include low income singles, families, and locals with disabilities. The final unit will be filled on Wednesday.
Mr Marshall said the complex was a great credit to Homes North and represented a real commitment to improving home affordability for residents on fixed and low incomes.
“We stood at this site just 10 months ago to turn the first sod – now here we are opening six beautiful new homes, ready to be lived in,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is a great project and the NSW Government was pleased to support Homes North in accessing the finances to complete the build and provide such a bright future for the residents.
“This is new housing stock but importantly it is modern and flexible, catering for people as they age with mobility issues or people with a disability.
The demographics of people accessing social and affordable housing is changing and the type and styles of accommodation must change also.
“I commend Homes North and the developers for creating homes that have been designed to be energy efficient over the long term, setting a new benchmark for affordable housing developments.
“I’m sure the residents will make these buildings well-loved homes over time and it is my great pleasure to have the chance to welcome them all.”
Ms McKenzie said the completion of this complex had delivered a practical solution to the lack of affordable housing.
“Affordable housing is a hot topic in the news today for good reason,” Ms McKenzie said.
“Lower average incomes make housing affordability a challenge to household budgets in regional NSW.
“Community Housing projects such as Stephen Street are one exciting and practical solution to this serious problem.”
Homes North is working on more partnerships that will deliver mixed tenure housing in various locations across the New England North West. Homes North is committed to increasing the number of homes for the community that are affordable, efficient to run and of very good quality.