Public housing projects start next year

Housing NSW is expected to begin two public housing redevelopment projects in Woy Woy starting early next year.

A Housing NSW spokesperson said the project would involve the redevelopment of existing public housing in Miami Ave and Lismore Ave, Woy Woy, and were expected to be completed by November next year.

The spokesperson said the Miami Ave public housing project involved three freestanding cottages all of which had been demolished.

"The proposal is to construct eight one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units for Housing NSW," the spokesperson said.

"A total of $1.95 million will be spent on this project during this financial year."

The Lismore Ave project involves five freestanding cottages, according to the Housing NSW spokesperson.

The proposal is to construct 19 one and two bedroom seniors' living units for Housing NSW at a cost of $3.66 million to be spent on the project during this financial year.

"To build the new units, Housing NSW needs to relocate the existing tenants," the spokesperson said.

"To make this as easy as possible for the residents involved, Housing NSW has dedicated relocation staff in the field helping residents every step of the way.

"Relocation staff meets personally with every resident who needs to relocate so they can find suitable alternative accommodation for them to move into, in the area of their choice.

"Housing NSW organises and pays for removalists, covers all reasonable relocation costs including reconnection of electricity, phone, gas, pay TV and internet.

"Housing NSW will also pay for three months mail redirection from Australia Post.

"If a resident has made authorised improvements to their home, Housing NSW will try to move that improvement.

"If that's not possible, the resident will be reimbursed."

The Housing NSW spokesperson said the Woy Woy projects would be assessed using the Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policy.

"The aim of the policy is to encourage home owners, social housing providers and developers to invest and create new affordable rental housing to meet the needs of our growing population and existing residents," the spokesperson said.

"Under the policy, Housing NSW consults with local councils to guide the design of proposed developments.

"The process fully assesses all potential impacts of the proposed development such as traffic, heritage, noise, overshadowing and privacy."

Media statement, 1 Jul 2010 David Maher, Housing NSW