New housing venture for Maleny

Future of affordable housing celebrated

By Lea Parkes

Cr Jenny McKay cuts the ribbon with CHASM committee members Francis Harper, Margaret McKenzie and Nicole Hilton

After four years of planning, fundraising and hard work by Compassionate Housing Affordability Solutions Maleny (CHASM), the group’s first affordable home in the Maple Street Co-op’s community garden was officially opened last Saturday by Cr Jenny McKay.

Margaret McKenzie of CHASM said the group had raised funds by baking cakes, selling raffle tickets and even dancing with drag queens, but it had all been worth it.

Margaret also acknowledged that they had some very generous donations and a major grant from the Whitehouse Foundation that allowed them to complete the project.

“We contracted local builder Ross Meneely to help with the installation of the home and he’s been fantastic to work with and assisted us greatly,” Margaret said.

CHASM’s vision is for a compassionate and sustainable community where everyone has a home they can afford. The launch of their first home will be a showcase to others on how they can invest in their own back yard.

“We are expecting to be able to rent the home out for approximately $180 per week and when you consider the price of a unit to rent in Maleny that is probably half the price. It is very affordable housing," Margaret said.

“With the ever-growing Airbnb many locals have taken their permanent rental homes off the market to take advantage of the Airbnb market, which has created a situation where there are fewer rentals, which is the first issue facing Maleny.

“Then comes the issue of having affordable housing. If you are a person on a pension by the time you pay rent there is not much left for other essentials let alone having some spare money for unexpected expenses or to just pop out and have a coffee.

“This can be quiet isolating as the less money one has to spend, the more home bound they become, therefore missing out on social interactions,” Margaret said.

Following the official opening, community members were given the opportunity to take a look inside the home.

If you missed out it will be open again from 10am–2pm next Saturday, February 29.

Everyone is welcome to come and have a look, have a chat and take away some information on how best to invest in their own back yard.

In July and September 2015 the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre conducted two housing conversations with over 50 attendees at each event, including many concerned community members, service club representatives, housing service workers, government officials, the local council member and the state MP.

CHASM emerged from this community consultation process with the aim of addressing the issue of housing affordability in the area.

To find out more about the organisation head to their website www.chasmhousing.org.au.

Inside the house