Major provider opens NRAS dwellings
A NSW organisation has opened its first social housing apartments under the federal government program.
One of Australia’s biggest aged care organisations has officially opened its first social housing project built with support from the federal government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).
The nine self-contained apartments at Kenthurst in Sydney’s northwest are part of UnitingCare Ageing’s commitment to deliver 167 affordable dwellings in NSW and the ACT.
The ceremony was attended by UnitingCare Ageing dignitaries, independent living residents, and government representatives.
The self-contained units are housed within the remodeled Kentgrove Lodge facility which has communal living and dining areas for residents.
The Churches Community Housing Association will manage the tenancies at the site and UnitingCare Ageing’s Western Sydney Community Care services will provide support with shopping, cooking, cleaning and laundry services.
The government aims to establish 50,000 new affordable dwellings throughout Australia by 2012 under the NRAS scheme.
Rent at the Kenthurst apartments has been set at 20 per cent below market rates to make the dwellings accessible to people with low to moderate incomes.
UnitingCare Ageing is also developing NRAS projects in Shellharbour, Springwood, Tamworth, Beecroft, Yamba, Lismore, Canberra and Wyong.
Fifty NRAS units will be built at Shellharbour as part of the organisation’s major seniors precinct project that will include a range of housing options and community support services.
The NRAS program is administered in partnership with the Australian and NSW Governments.
