Tenants selected for affordable housing project

Tenants are being selected for a government-supported affordable housing project in Woy Woy.

"The project was initiated by the NSW Government to provide housing supply for low income earners experiencing housing stress," according to Mr Keith Gavin, chief of community housing provider Pacific Link Housing which is managing the Woy Woy Apartment Project.

The project has 31 apartments, with 13 apartments listed as affordable housing and 17 set aside as social housing.

The building in Chambers Place also has common areas, a terrace, parking spaces and ground floor retail space.

Affordable housing rentals are set at 75 per cent of full private rental costs.

To be considered for tenancy, applicants must have earnings below $52,900 a year, or $79,400per annum for couples, according to Pacific Link's project officer Mr John Tuffin.

They must not own or part-own any existing property within Australia or overseas.

Applicants must also meet all private rental requirements and provide proof of rental history, citizenship status, financial status, and references.

"Depending on the individual needs of tenants, the Woy Woy project provides some accessible apartments and others designed for use as disability units if required.

"These will be allocated on a needs basis," Mr Tuffin said.

"The Government offered a one-off capital grant through the NSW Land and Housing Corporation within the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS).

"The completed project is wholly owned by Evolve Housing and Pacific Link and is to be leased and managed by Pacific Link for the joint venture."

Mr Tuffin said Pacific Link had "significant flexibility" to manage the social housing tenant mix and some of the Woy Woy tenants would be transferred in from underutilised social housing already managed by Pacific Link.

"Like all households, tenants who have been in social housing homes for some time progress from having families to being 'empty-nesters' and may later find themselves living alone in a large home.

"This has been a perpetual problem, both for them and for community housing providers.

"Pacific Link will offer the opportunity for existing tenants in good standing who wish to down-size to move to Woy Woy, where the modern apartment is within easy reach of shopping, services and public transport.

"The current housing waiting list for over-55s seeking a studio or one-bedroom in Woy Woy is in excess of 300.

"The Woy Woy project will help reduce this waiting list," he said.

SOURCE:

Interview, 19 May 2017

John Tuffin, Pacific Link Housing

Reporter: Dilon Luke