Pictured: 14 Unit development to benefit from the NSW Government’s Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF)
Central Coast based Community Housing Provider (CHP), Pacific Link Housing, has been successful in being awarded $4.96 million in grant funding under the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) program known as the Together Homes Transition Program (THTP). Funded from the NSW Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF), Pacific Link Housing will utilise the funding to deliver 17 additional units of social housing accommodation across three projects located at Canton Beach, East Gosford and Warnervale. The THTP saw a total of $35.5 million allocated as co-funded grants to community housing providers participating in the Together Homes Program across NSW, and aims to facilitate the transition of clients to fit-for-purpose longer-term housing within the broader property portfolios of CHPs.
Pacific Link Housing Chairman Wal Edgell said, Pacific Link Housing is committed to the strategy of delivering a continuous development pipeline of mixed tenancy developments. We will continue to work with local Councils across our footprint, particularly Central Coast Council and Lake Macquarie City Council, evidenced by the recent completion of a 12 unit development in Woy Woy, and the 13 unit development currently under construction in Belmont, both of which have also benefited from previous NSW Government CHIF grants.
“Pacific Link Housing applauds the continuation of the CHIF, the simplified tender process, as well as the upfront provision of capital grants which then allows CHPs to access debt finance through National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC), providing a multiplier effect to the grant funds, thereby increasing the capacity of CHPs to deliver more urgently required affordable housing. Pacific Link Housing will continue to position itself to be eligible to attract further grant funding for other sites in the development pipeline,” Mr Edgell said.
Ian Lynch, CEO of Pacific Link Housing, said that The Together Homes Program has seen 48 clients housed by Pacific Link Housing in a COVID-19 stimulus program implemented in, and expanded since, 2020. The Program, also funded by NSW DCJ, aims to transition people onto a trajectory away from homelessness and into long-term stable housing, while improving overall personal wellbeing.
“Pacific Link Housing has continued to progress our advocacy with all levels of Government for funding support of our development pipeline. Since just mid-2021, we have secured a total of $8.6 million in cash grants towards five current projects from NSW DCJs CHIF Fund. We understand that Pacific Link Housing has been one of the most successful proponents in receiving funding from this program – both in recognition of the significant levels of housing need in the region, and also thanks to our proven capacity and expertise to deliver outstanding mixed tenancy projects,” said Mr Lynch.
“Post completion, Pacific Link Housing plays a support coordination role, liaising with and garnering expert wrap around services of all kinds, from local specialist support services,” said Mr Lynch.
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the Together Home Transition Program will assist Together Home tenants into longer-term social housing with wrap around supports.
“It builds on the work we are doing to help people rebuild their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“In partnership with community housing providers such as Pacific Link Housing, the Together Home Transition program will help more people break the cycle of homelessness for good.”