MA Housing opens waiting list for ground-breaking housing project

MA Housing is seeking applications from eligible tenants for 42 brand new affordable housing units.

The Camperdown Project is located in Sydney’s inner-city and is based on the successful Common Ground model from New York.

The units, due to open their doors in October, will be offered to eligible low income households at less than 80% of market rent, under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). Under the scheme, at least one member of the household must be employed and household income cannot exceed $44,128 for a single person or $61,006 for a couple.

This brand new six-storey development has been designed to an award winning 5-star green rating, evidenced by the abundance of natural light throughout the complex. A range of amenities will be located on the ground floor and a 24-hour, seven days a week concierge will service the secure access lobby.

Weekly rents start from $220 for a mixture of studios and one and two bedroom apartments.

As part of an integrated housing model, The Camperdown Project will also provide long-term housing and support for people experiencing homelessness, and is only suitable for people over the age of 18.

If you know someone who is in need of low-cost rental housing, please encourage them to contact MA Housing for more information.

Contact Adi, Brad or Sarah on the MA Housing hotline: 1800 269 672 or visit www.mahousing.com.au for more information.

MA Housing offers new affordable rental housing in Victoria

MA Housing is currently looking for tenants for some exciting new affordable housing properties in Dandenong, Victoria.

The apartments will be offered to eligible households at 80% of market rent, under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). At least one member of the household must be employed. (Therefore units are generally not suitable for those on the social housing waiting list).

Eligibility is determined partly on household earnings. Maximum annual earnings range from $42,718 for a single person to $101,561 for a couple with three children.

The properties
The properties are brand new one and two-bedroom apartments in Hutton St Dandenong. These high quality apartments all have balconies and one under cover car space each. Apartments are just metres from Dandenong Central Business District and Dandenong train station.

Weekly rents range from $200 to $276 per week.

If you know someone who is in need of low-cost rental housing, please encourage them to contact MA Housing for more information.

Contact
Ken Parkin, Senior Housing Manager
Phone: 0439 576 542
Email: ParkinKe@mahousing.com.au

This is a rare opportunity to obtain great accommodation at an affordable price. Units are available NOW and won’t last long.

MA Housing welcomes new Coffs Harbour tenants

Residents of MA Housing’s three new developments in Coffs Harbour, NSW, were officially welcomed into their new homes at a ceremony last week.

The 33 modern homes have been built as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan and will be owned and managed by MA Housing.

The Sawtell Road event began with a welcome to country from Aunty Elaine Turnbull.

Residents, including elderly people and singles, enjoyed a celebratory barbecue on site with MA Housing CEO Andrew McAnulty, Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Keith Rhodes and Housing NSW Area Director Phil Webber.

The barbecue provided the perfect opportunity for residents to get to know each other and speak to MA Housing staff, including Housing Manager Karina Orton.

Before the residents moved into their new affordable homes, Ms Orton spent considerable time with them, seeking to understand their requirements and preferences.

“Our staff do a lot of preparation work to ensure we factor in individual household needs and wants when positioning them within developments,” she said at the barbecue last Wednesday.

“For example, we do our best to make sure that those people who need extra privacy aren't going to have balconies facing their yards, or people who thrive on social interaction are placed where they’ll get more opportunities to interact with their neighbours.”

Mr McAnulty said the new developments were a significant contribution to the creation of more homes for people on low incomes in regional NSW.
“NSW has a significant affordable housing challenge. Thanks to the NSW and Australian governments these homes – and others being built around the state – are an important step in overcoming the issue,” he said.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes.”
Mr McAnulty also announced that our next development in Coffs Harbour, which is being developed by local firm Seaheat, was now progressing on site and would produce another 14 new homes by the end of the year.

Photo: MA Housing Receptionist Kath Holohan (centre) with two Coffs Harbour tenants.

Further reading:

• ‘Rental squeeze hits hard as cheaper housing dries up’ - The Sydney Morning Herald
• MA Housing’s website - mahousing.com.au
• Latest MA Housing news

Opening doors during Seniors Week

MA Housing has nine brand new affordable dwellings now ready for occupation by older people in western Sydney – just in time for NSW Seniors Week 2011.

The nine homes in Mt Druitt were transferred to MA Housing by Housing NSW as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

The dwellings have been designed with “senior living” in mind, featuring lower than usual door handles and light switches, accessible shower areas and private courtyards that are ideal for gardening.

They are among the 808 Nation Building homes that MA Housing is delighted to manage in the greater Western Sydney region.

MA Housing will have approximately 165 more “senior living” dwellings transferred into its management this year. While these developments offer plenty of privacy for older residents, they are also designed to encourage interaction with the community.

“It’s very important that our older tenants get involved in what’s going on around them,” said James Cameron, a Housing Manager based at MA Housing’s Blacktown office.

“Some have come from living alone in houses, so they have experienced isolation.”

Dorothy (pictured) is one such senior who is enjoying life more since moving from a large home to one of our senior living dwellings. “Before I would lock myself in my house because I was worried about break-ins,” the widow said. “I can now open my windows and I feel safe”.

To encourage new tenants to enjoy more independent and secure lives, MA Housing provides a printed copy of the Department of Fair Trading’s Seniors Guide.

“In fact, many of our older tenants are also our most enthusiastic,” Mr Cameron said. “They love contributing recipes to the MA Housing newsletter and letting us know how they’re getting on.”

MA Housing is currently working with Housing NSW to sign new tenants to the Mt Druitt senior living development, and hopes to distribute keys within the next few weeks.

MA Housing welcomes 500th tenant

Yesterday’s welcome event for residents of MA Housing’s Blacktown development in western Sydney was made extra special when Jennifer Morgan arrived.

Jennifer is the proud tenant of MA Housing’s 500th home – a milestone celebrated at the gathering in Seven Hills that included Nathan Rees, State Member for Toongabbie, and Andrew McAnulty, CEO MA Housing.

Jennifer, who signed her lease in December, said her new home was “the best Christmas present” she’d ever received. She has since settled into the unit with her dog Tazzo, who she saved from the pound 13 years ago.

Before receiving the keys from MA Housing, Ms Morgan was desperate to find safe and affordable accommodation for herself and Tazzo. She has been renting in Sydney’s Lalor Park for seven years when her landlord decided to sell the home and gave her 30 days to vacate the premises.

Due to the severe housing shortage, Ms Morgan was unable to find a suitable – and pet-friendly – place to live and was at serious risk of homelessness.

Eventually, she found basic accommodation at the back of a suburban home, and there she lived without an oven and other important facilities for 18 months.

She was elated when MA Housing called to offer her a brand new pet-friendly unit in Seven Hills. She immediately accepted the home on first inspection.

“Since moving in, I now have enough money left over each week to do a proper grocery shop. The first meal I cooked in my new kitchen was a big traditional oven roast for my mother,” she said.

“I still pinch myself every morning to find I’ve woken up in my new home.”

To celebrate becoming MA Housing’s 500th tenant, Mr Rees and Mr McAnulty presented Ms Morgan with a bunch of flowers, a gift voucher and a photo of herself and Tazzo.

MA Housing – which is part of Mission Australia – has recently taken handover of 35 new homes in the Blacktown Local Government Area, which will provide quality housing for individuals and families.

Located across the Sydney suburbs of Seven Hills, Blacktown, and Lalor Park, they have been built as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, and will be owned and managed by MA Housing.

Mr McAnulty said that these new developments are making a significant contribution through the creation of more homes for people on low and moderate incomes in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney has a significant affordable housing challenge,” he said. “Thanks to the NSW and Australian governments, these homes – and others being built around the state – are an important step in overcoming the issue.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes. MA Housing’s vision around these homes is to make a long-term and positive difference in the area. By providing good quality homes, more secure homes, more affordable homes we’re helping build stronger communities.”

Media Release: MA Housing hosts 500th home celebration and event for new tenants

Community housing provider, MA Housing, is holding a 500th home celebration and ‘welcome’ event for residents of its new housing developments in the Blacktown area at 12 noon on Monday, 21 February (details below).

MA Housing – part of Mission Australia – has recently taken handover of 35 newly built homes in the Blacktown local government area to provide quality housing for individuals and families.

The homes have been built as part of the Australian government’s nation building economic stimulus plan, and will be owned and managed by MA Housing. The houses are located across the suburbs of Seven Hills, Blacktown, and Lalor Park.

MA Housing’s 500th home was recently tenanted by Jennifer Morgan at the Seven Hills development. Ms Morgan, who signed her lease on 17 December 2010, says her new home was “the best Christmas present” she had ever received.

Ms Morgan had been renting in Sydney’s Lalor Park for seven years when her landlord decided to sell the home and gave her 30 days to vacate the premises.

Due to the severe housing shortage, Ms Morgan was unable to find any suitable places to live and was at serious risk of homelessness. Eventually, she found basic accommodation at the back of a suburban home, and there she lived without an oven and other important facilities for 18 months paying $250 per week.

Ms Morgan was elated when MA Housing called to offer her a brand new pet-friendly unit in Seven Hills. At the inspection she immediately accepted the home without having to give up ‘Tazzo’ – the little dog she had saved from the pound 13 years earlier.

“Since moving in, I now have enough money left over each week to do a proper grocery shop. The first meal I cooked in my new kitchen was a big traditional oven roast for my mother,” said Ms Morgan.

“I still pinch myself every morning to find I’ve woken up in my new home.”

MA Housing’s CEO, Andrew McAnulty, said these new developments are making a significant contribution in creating more homes for people on low and moderate incomes in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney has a significant affordable housing challenge. Thanks to the NSW and Australian governments these homes – and others being built around the state – are an important step in overcoming the issue,” said Mr McAnulty.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes.

“MA Housing’s vision around these homes is to make a long-term and positive difference in the area. By providing good quality homes, more secure homes, more affordable homes we’re helping build stronger communities.”

Details:

• What: MA Housing 500th home celebration and ‘welcome’ for tenants of its new Blacktown developments.
• When: 12 noon to 1:30pm, Monday 21 February 2011
• Where: 33-38 Eighth Avenue, Seven Hills
• Who: Tenants for the new homes including Jennifer Morgan, MA Housing’s 500th tenant; Nathan Rees, State Member for Toongabbie; and Andrew McAnulty, CEO MA Housing.
• Interviews and photographs available with special guests and tenants.
• Media contact: Sally Popplestone 0415 547 626

MA Housing welcomes its Wauchope tenants

MA Housing hosted a 'welcome' event on Monday for residents of its new housing development in the Wauchope area.

MA Housing – part of Mission Australia – has recently taken handover of 27 newly built homes in Wauchope and Laurieton with another 28 to follow in Port Macquarie designed to provide quality housing for individuals and families.

The homes have been built as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building economic stimulus plan and will be owned and managed by MA Housing.

MA Housing’s CEO, Andrew McAnulty, said the new homes were a significant contribution to creating more affordable housing in regional NSW.

“Australia has an affordable housing challenge. These homes – and others being built around the state thanks to the NSW and Federal governments – are an important step to overcoming the issue,” Mr McAnulty said.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes.

“MA Housing’s vision around these homes is to make a long-term and positive difference in the area. By providing good quality homes, more secure homes, more affordable homes we’re helping build stronger communities.”

Kathy Cox OAM, who has been a Wauchope resident for almost three decades, was among the new tenants who joined in the celebrations.

“We haven’t been living in the project long, so it’s still new. But it seems really well set up,” Ms Cox told The Wauchope Gazette. “The layout means there is good privacy and security. The peace and quiet is fabulous, especially for those of us who haven’t had it.

“I like the layout. I’m in a cluster of five other houses, which means you have a good chance for both privacy and to develop good neighbourly relations.

“I couldn’t be happier,” she added. “You just have to talk to the tenants here to know how much they appreciate the security… MA Housing has done a really good thing.”

Above photo: Denise Bartlett, Gail George, Francis Brazil, Sharon Kent, Angela Roberts, Kathy Cox, Thelma Campbell, Michael Wong, Andrew McAnulty, Geoff Carney and Kelly Innes.  Photo courtesy of The Wauchope Gazette.

Further reading...

• MA Housing welcomes new residents
  
• A helping hand into a home
  
• 1,043 reasons for MA Housing to celebrate
  

MA Housing welcomes new residents

MA Housing is today hosting a special welcome barbecue for residents of its new affordable homes in Blacktown, in Sydney’s west.

MA Housing – part of Mission Australia – has taken over the management of 37 new homes in Blackett, Lethbridge Park and Shalvey, which are designed to provide quality housing for individuals and families.

The barbecue was held at the Luxford Road MA Housing development.

Earlier this week MA Housing’s CEO, Andrew McAnulty, told The Blacktown Advocate that the new homes were a significant contribution to creating more affordable housing in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney has an affordable housing challenge,” Mr McAnulty said. “These homes – and others being built around the state thanks to the NSW and Australian governments – are an important step to overcoming the issue.”

Mr McAnulty joined MA Housing staff, local police and government representatives, and new residents of Hopman and Luxford Roads, Waitiki Street, and Boldrewood Drive at the Luxford Road meet-and-greet at noon earlier today.

MA Housing is planning to host similar welcome events this month at MA Housing developments in Wauchope, Bankstown and Penrith, New South Wales.

MA Housing was established in April 2009 to help Australians who are affected by the shortfall in accommodation. It is designed to assist low-and-moderate income households secure long-term housing and provide people in need with access to wider support services.

MA Housing currently operates in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. In the next year MA Housing will own or operate at least 1,200 social and affordable homes.

1,043 reasons for MA Housing to celebrate

In February 2010, Housing NSW opened a tender process for the stock transfer of 4,551 new homes being delivered as part of the ‘Nation Building Social Housing Initiative’ within New South Wales.

“The 1,043 homes awarded to MA Housing represent 23 per cent of the total tender and equates to $317 million of new build asset transfer,” said Andrew McAnulty, CEO MA Housing.

“In addition to the 1,043 'social homes' under Nation Building, we are committed to developing a substantial number of additional affordable homes, the majority of which will be completed over the next five years,” said Andrew.

The win provides MA Housing with a solid springboard as they position themselves for further growth in both NSW and other states and territories.

“MA Housing has achieved these outcomes by levering the strength of Mission Australia,” said Andrew. “Ultimately, it’s about our ability to combine service delivery for our clients.”

Of the 17 housing packages offered by Housing NSW, MA Housing won three, which cover the geographical areas of Blacktown, Penrith, Blue Mountains, Bankstown, Greater Taree, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, and Great Lakes.

“The locations of homes are particularly pertinent to us, especially Blacktown and Penrith where we already have extensive MA services in place.

“While we still have significant work to do to deliver this opportunity, I’m extremely confident that we possess the organisational capacity and determination to deliver a high quality outcome for our new residents and wider stakeholders,” said Andrew.