Maitland is set for a share of 600 new community homes after Compass Housing was awarded a major NSW Government contract.
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The new homes will be built across the Hunter and Central Coast.
While a Compass spokesperson was unable to confirm the number of houses earmarked for Maitland, because numbers were still being decided, the local government area is expected to get a portion of the new premises.
There is a shortage of social and affordable housing right across the country...
- Compass Group managing director Greg Budworth.
There has been a renewed focus on providing community housing in the past two years after reports of major delays in access to homes for people in need. The Compass contract came from the Social and Affordable Housing Fund, which was a key result of the recent probe into how to fix the shortfall in the community housing sector – the NSW Future Directions for Social Housing Strategy.
The latest Family and Community Services data showed a five to 10 year waiting list for one, two and three bedroom community homes in Maitland and a decade-plus wait for four bedroom homes. In Cessnock, there is at least a 10 year wait for two and three bedroom homes and a five to 10 year wait for single and four bedroom homes.
Compass Group managing director Greg Budworth said the projects would help address shortfalls of housing which were driving affordability issues for workers and low income families.
“There is a shortage of social and affordable housing right across the country and the Hunter and Central Coast regions are no exception,” he said.
“The government deserves major credit for taking bold steps to increase supply.
“Adequate housing is crucial to a person’s wellbeing. Without it, it’s next to impossible to make a go of things in any other part of your life.
“Innovative solutions like the SAHF will be critical to addressing the current shortfall and allowing more vulnerable people to experience the stability that comes from having a suitable and affordable place to live.”