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VIC update
The $6.1 million development has been jointly funded by the philanthropic organisation Peter and Lyndy White Foundation that is the majority contributor with over $4.2 million, followed by $1.2 million from the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund and the remainder by CHL. Designed and built by CHL, the new homes will be rented out to eligible people with local community links, at subsidised rent. “Mernda is a thriving community and it’s very well serviced. It’s on the train line now and has been since 2018. It has health services, community services, CHL’s brand new 24 unit housing development in Mernda delivered in partnership with the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation and the Victorian Government’s
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CHL has announced the completion of 24 brand new affordable homes in Melbourne’s growing north-eastern suburb of Mernda – an initiative made possible by a three-way partnership between the philanthropic, public and not-for-profit sector.
Social Housing Growth Fund. retail and schools,” says CHL Victoria State Manager Grant McNeill.
These homes are modern, well located and will provide much needed additional supply of affordable housing at a time where the cost of living is increasingly unaffordable. It will provide a new lease of life to those who have fallen into difficulties due to issues such as unemployment, family breakdown, illness and others that led to them ending up homeless. “It is very important that we continue to grow the supply for Victoria, there is a very long housing list, high demand and housing has been expensive and it’s out of the reach for many people in terms of home ownership and private rental.
“It is important to provide affordable housing opportunities for all people with all incomes and family types. This is affordable housing. It is right in the heart of the CBD in Mernda and we believe that’s the way we build thriving and balanced communities.”
Meet CHL tenant, Mary and John
Mary and her late husband John lived in their own home for several years, but when John fell terminally ill, they both made the decision to sell their home to pay for John’s treatment and care.
Now without their home, Mary and John went into the private rental market. There they found it difficult to find a place that met their needs, one that was affordable and they could make their own.
Mary recounts a time she moved into a property where the previous tenant left their litter in the yard. When she asked the landlord if they could bring a skip bin to dispose it, they were unwilling, so Mary paid for the skip bin out of limited disposable income instead.
After John’s passing, Mary found it even more difficult to find stable affordable housing. That is when she came to know of CHL. As a CHL tenant, Mary lives in a modern home where she has made the space her own. With modern furnishings, she can maintain the place with ease. She has also made friends in her neighbourhood meeting up regularly in her “village”, while sticking to the social distancing guidelines.
Mary welcomes the fact that CHL takes pride in its properties too.
“If ever I have any issues, I have found the team to be very responsive and they fix things quickly.”
Mary had no idea that there was such a thing as community housing, but she is grateful there is as she says, “social housing saved (her) life”.
Since COVID-19, she has been staying in her home while her granddaughter helps her out with grocery runs.
Mary wanted to share her story with others and to help promote organisations like CHL to acquire much-needed funding.
*Name changed for privacy reasons
National tenant satisfaction survey winners
Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s national tenant satisfaction survey.
As part of completing the survey, tenants went into the draw to win some fabulous prizes of which nine people in VIC won. Well done to Julie Davenport, Peter Currie, Karyn Gaialight, Lauren Waite, Sarah Waardenburg, Cassie Clarke, Tina Young, Margaret Cockinos and Wimon She-Be.
