SIXTY new affordable homes will be built across the Central West to address an acute shortage of homes and expected growth in population.
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Orange-based Housing Plus has been awarded a contract by the NSW Government to build the homes which will be located in Bathurst, Cowra, Dubbo, Lithgow, Mudgee and Parkes.
The 60 new homes will be a mix of four, three, two and one-bedroom properties and they will be designed to meet the needs of older people and those with a disability.
The homes will have a 7.5 star energy efficiency rating, solar panels and split-systems to help reduce running costs for tenants
Housing Plus chief executive officer David Fisher said the additional dwellings will be added to the company's existing program and they will be delivered during 2021-22.
"We are delighted to secure this additional investment in the Central West and provide more affordable housing and jobs at this time," he said.
The difference that having a home can make to families is enormous.
- Housing Plus chief executive officer David Fisher
"The difference that having a home can make to families is enormous."
These 60 new dwellings will be in addition to the 220 affordable homes that Housing Plus is currently delivering across the Central West NSW since February 2019.
During the past 18 months Housing Plus has built and tenanted 93 homes in Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange and is on track to complete the remaining 127 by 2021.
Housing Plus said recent research from the University of NSW shows that there is an acute shortage of affordable housing across the region and estimated that 5500 new properties were needed in the Central West to meet demand.
The 2018 Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare Australia reports that less than 5 per cent of available houses were affordable and appropriate for a couple with no children receiving the age pension.
Only one per cent of properties are affordable for a single person on an aged pension.
As well as providing families with, affordable housing, Housing Plus will link tenants and household members with local services to help them work towards greater independence.
There is a focus on supporting vulnerable older women.
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