PICTURED: Nicholas Bright (Kingston), John Tonkin (Kingston), David Stuart (Kingston), Wal Edgell (Pacific Link Housing), Darren See (Kingston), Mathew Dean (Kingston), Matthew Howard (Kingston), Beaudean Millward (Kingston)..
Community Housing Provider, Pacific Link Housing, has completed an outstanding mixed-tenancy complex in the heart of Belmont.
The development, named ‘Fernleigh’, will provide a blend of social, affordable and market-rate rentals.
Pacific Link Housing Chairman Wal Edgell said that their developments are built to a standard that matches anything that a private developer would put out into the market.
“We are proud to complete another quality project in the Lake Macquarie region. Our previous mixed-tenancy development at Glendale, won a national award with the Property Council of Australia, demonstrating the incredibly high standard we can deliver,” Mr Edgell said.
Constructed by Newcastle-based company Kingston Building, Fernleigh also includes a small commercial space that will be utilised by Pacific Link Housing and their social enterprise real estate offering, Key2 Realty.
Key2 Realty provides property management services to private landlords and will also manage the affordable and market-rate tenancies at Fernleigh, expanding their growth into the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle regions.
The NSW Government contributed $1.6 million towards the overall $6.9 million Fernleigh development, which ensures five units are used for social housing allocations.
The funding was provided through the Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF), a $150 million program delivering more social and affordable housing in collaboration with community housing providers across NSW.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson MLC, said the project was the result of a successful partnership between the NSW Government and Community Housing Provider Pacific Link Housing.
“Everybody needs a safe and stable place to live which is why the NSW Government continues to work with the community housing sector to boost the number of social and affordable properties.”
Ian Lynch, CEO of Pacific Link Housing, said this funding assists not just in providing accommodation, but also improving the housing experience and stability of housing for community members.
“Pacific Link Housing has an outstanding track record in developing and managing mixed-tenancy complexes that provide rental opportunities for individuals at any stage of the housing journey.”
This development is a significant step towards increasing the availability of affordable housing in the Lake Macquarie region and reflects an alignment with the objective of Lake Macquarie City Council’s Local Housing Strategy. Fernleigh will contribute to a more inclusive community, where everyone has access to safe, secure and affordable housing.