Monday 29 March 2021
Argyle Housing has been granted $3.8m to upgrade 300 social housing properties to support people in need in Campbelltown to Bowral through to Yass, Young and Wagga Wagga.
This program of works will be roll-out by June and the funding will improve the quality, safety and comfort of homes with new roofs and fences, as well as replacing windows and painting exterior walls.
Argyle Housing CEO, Ms Wendy Middleton, said “This is an amazing opportunity to engage with local regional contractors and work with them throughout the procurement process to ensure that they receive the opportunity to realise the employment and economic benefits of this program.”
“We hope these measures contribute to supporting positive health outcomes for tenants, particularly those in areas where extreme heat and cold are experienced including in Wagga Wagga, Yass, Young and Southern Highlands”.
“A key focus of this project is to provide modern upgrades to existing dwellings that better meets the needs of current and future tenants,” she said.
This funding allocation follows the NSW Government’s announcement of 31 successful bids by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to deliver $40 million in stimulus funding to upgrade social housing, create jobs and help build safer and stronger communities throughout NSW.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said the $40 million program will deliver capital works for more than 2000 properties owned by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) and managed by CHPs, including 55 per cent in regional locations.
“The program will create more than 350 jobs in NSW, with more than half of them in regional areas. Regional NSW has also received over half of government stimulus grants over $1 million,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Alongside CHPs, we’re improving the quality, comfort and safety of homes for thousands of vulnerable people and families throughout NSW.
“This investment is also supporting the local businesses that are supplying workers with the tools, trades and building materials that will give these homes a fresh lick of paint, a new roof or gutter, and much needed bathroom and kitchen replacements.”
The $40 million stimulus injection forms part of the NSW Government’s record budget investment of close to $900 million to fast-track construction of thousands of new homes, while creating jobs and boosting the State’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
The NSW Government announced a $200 million maintenance spend in the last year’s budget. This complements the $47 million maintenance stimulus program delivered by LAHC last year, which supported 500 jobs and upgraded 2,200 social housing properties and another 200 buildings, grounds and complexes, in regional and metropolitan NSW.
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Argyle Housing Media: Scott Dunstan | 0447 144 618