by Carrie Drage | Sep 10, 2018 | All
Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless today announced $684,859 in funding to breathe life into building a domestic violence crisis centre in Orange for affected women and children.
This funding is included in the $1.6M grant, which Orange City Council will receive under round two of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Mr Colless said the money will fund the first domestic violence centre in Orange, which will be a safe haven for those in the community who are being abused in their current homes.
“Many women, men and children in regional communities are victims of domestic abuse and violence – and it simply isn’t safe for them to stay where they are currently living,” Mr Colless said.
“Each month in Orange there are more 130 reports of domestic violence made to the police, making it imperative that support in the form of a crisis centre is provided to these women and children.”
David Fisher, CEO of Housing Plus, said, “We are delighted to receive the support from the Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund and would like to thank the wider Orange community who have voted online for this important community amenity.”
“This centre will provide a comprehensive range of domestic and family violence support services at no charge including risk assessment, transport, safety planning, court support, information and referral, case management, community education and support to access victim’s compensation.”
“Most importantly, it will be a centre where women and children can move to while they rebuild their lives.”
Mayor of Orange City Council Reg Kidd said funding for this centre was imperative, and was a much needed community service locals had been advocating for.
“We want everyone in this community to feel safe and cared for. I am hoping this centre will provide a sense of relief to those who have and are suffering in our community for domestic abuse and violence.”
by Carrie Drage | May 16, 2018 | All
Housing Plus has prepared Affordable Housing Needs Analyses for Orange, Mid-Western Regional, Bathurst Regional, Dubbo Regional, Blayney and Lithgow local government areas to provide an understanding of the demand for affordable housing within Central West NSW and the extent to which current provision of housing meets the needs of existing and future residents.
These analyses are intended to provide an evidence base to support local councils – and the wider community – in developing an understanding of the demand for affordable housing, and how housing supply can increase to meet this demand.
The analyses highlight the worsening conditions for very, low and moderate income households to rent appropriate properties across Central West NSW, with rising levels of housing stress as rental costs continue to accelerate. The analyses also emphasise the lack of housing diversity across the region, and how existing housing stock, comprising mostly large detached houses (3+ bedrooms), is not effectively meeting the demand for appropriate and affordable housing from couples and single person households.
Other key housing issues in Central West NSW include a very high ageing population, indicating a need for housing to be appropriate and adaptable to enable people to age in place, and long waiting times for social housing.
by Carrie Drage | May 1, 2018 | All
Housing Plus is thrilled to announce it will receive funding from the NSW Government to contribute to the establishment of a state-of-the-art domestic violence crisis centre for women and children in Orange, based on the best practice ‘core and cluster’ crisis centre model.
The funding will make a significant contribution to the existing funding raised from grants, corporate sponsorship and community fundraising.
David Fisher, Chief Executive Officer at Housing Plus, says, “This project is unique in that all levels of government – local, federal and state – have recognised the need for a crisis centre in Orange and worked collaboratively to provide support.”
“We have also had a huge amount of support from local businesses, schools, community groups and individuals.”
The funding provided by the NSW Government is coming from a $4M ‘core and cluster’ fund announced by MP Pru Goward, Minister for Family and Community Services, Minister for Social Housing, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
David says, “This additional funding will enable us to build an improved facility that will deliver even greater outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic violence in the local community.”
“Independent units will give families privacy and space to recover and re-establish their routines, whilst on-site services will help women to overcome the crisis, plan for the future, and achieve safe and appropriate long-term accommodation.”
“The Orange crisis centre will be the first of its kind in NSW and a demonstration project for the state.”
The centre will comprise a community services hub (core) surrounded by six interchangeable 2BR villas (cluster), which can be reconfigured to adapt to different family sizes. The core will be the central hub for residents and other clients accessing domestic and family violence support services. The core will also contain an additional two bedrooms for women who require overnight accommodation to avoid the immediate danger at home.
In addition to providing a crisis response to domestic and family violence for women and children directly affected by violence, the centre will deliver community prevention and early intervention activities to target the drivers of violence and particular at-risk groups.
David says, “Violence against women and their children is a deeply entrenched and serious problem, particularly in Orange where the rate of assault is double the state average.”
Housing Plus is currently awaiting a decision on funding through the Stronger Country Communities Fund to meet the shortfall in funding to construct a ‘core and cluster’ crisis centre.
David says, “We are hopeful that we will secure the last of the funding needed to proceed with the project. If successful, we expect to begin construction on the site in December.”
by Carrie Drage | Apr 30, 2018 | All
Housing Plus is preparing to open a new state-of-the-art, purpose-built development in Orange for people with a disability requiring ‘High Physical Support’ under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The $1.6M development, located in Bletchington Street, Orange, is partially funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services using funding from the NDIS Supported Disability Accommodation Initiative (SDAI).
David Fisher, Chief Executive Officer at Housing Plus, says, “It will be the first complex of its kind in NSW. Unlike the traditional group home model, this exciting new development will offer independent living for NDIS participants eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding. These exceptional quality homes will support people with disability to have choice and control over their lives. 24-hour residential support will be available to ensure safety and security for residents.”
The development will comprise five villas: two 1BR + study, one 1BR, one 2BR and one 1BR with carer sleepover.
Each villa comes as standard with a private kitchen, ensuite bathroom, living room, laundry, outdoor courtyard and private access point. There is also a covered alfresco area for common use.
The villas have been designed to support people with significant disabilities to live in their own home with as much independence as possible. Each villa is assistive technology ready, fitted with height adjustable kitchen benchtops, wheelchair accessible bathroom vanities and laundry area, and Smart Home ready for complete home automation systems.
Housing Plus is partnering with Challenge Community Services for the project, an NDIS approved provider, who will be delivering Supported Independent Living supports to residents in the villas.
Stephen Doley, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Challenge Disability Services, says, “We are delighted to partner with Housing Plus on this new venture. The development at Bletchington Street, Orange, provides a new benchmark and innovation for accommodation across the disability industry. It will provide people with disability greater access to independence and ensure we are able to meet their needs and facilitate greater outcomes.”
The villas will be available to rent from 1 July 2018. Housing Plus is seeking expressions of interest from NDIS participants who are eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation.
For a full home specification and virtual walkthrough visit www.housingplus.com.au/sda. To enquire about the availability of Specialist Disability Accommodation, telephone Liz Stamatelos on 1800 603 300 or email Liz.S@housingplus.com.au.
