SOCIAL HOUSING TENANTS TO BENEFIT WITH NEW HOMES NORTH MANAGEMENT

SOCIAL HOUSING TENANTS TO BENEFIT WITH NEW HOMES NORTH MANAGEMENT

Homes North CEO Maree McKenzie, left, Minister for Social Housing Pru Goward, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Homes North Board Chairman Rex Gream at today’s announcement in Parliament House.

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

THE region’s social housing tenants will soon notice better management, more personable service and quicker maintenance on their properties, thanks to a change of management of more than 800 properties across the Northern Tablelands.

Local State MP Adam Marshall today announced the handover of 808 properties to local community service provider Homes North – describing the transfer as a “win for tenants and local communities”.

“This 20 year lease of social housing properties in Armidale, Inverell, Moree, Uralla and the Gwydir Shire will make social housing a much more comfortable home for thousands of locals,” Mr Marshall said.

“Homes North was chosen to manage these properties becomes of its proven strong track record with homes across the region.

“Their current tenants have reported substantially better conditions – with the chance to talk to a friendly local person, instead of spending hours on hold to a call centre.

“With a satisfaction rate of more than 90 per cent in Homes North’s current properties, thousands of tenants across the Northern Tablelands will benefit from this new arrangement.”

Mr Marshall said that the handover would happen seamlessly for current tenants, who will not see any change to their length of tenure, lease conditions or income after rent.

“All tenants impacted by this change will be fully informed of the process as it takes place – but otherwise, the differences will not be immediately apparent,” Mr Marshall said. “The benefits will be seen over the coming years and decades.

“With a fresh view and proven new provider, today’s announcement is an acknowledgement that social housing tenants deserve the best management for their homes.”

Homes North CEO Maree McKenzie said tenants would benefit from new programs to help them tackle financial challenges and break the cycle of disadvantage.

“Social housing tenants can often be battling intergenerational disadvantage – with children inheriting their parent’s lack of opportunity or capacity,” Ms Mckenzie said.

“It’s really about helping people build capacity and linking them to the opportunities out there, and having them feel confident about their capacity.

“With older tenants, we’ll look to link them into opportunities that benefit their wellbeing and get them socially connected.”

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