37 social and affordable homes secured for Central Coast

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

In a massive win for the community, people will continue to have a safe place to call home thanks to the acquisition of 37 units at East Gosford and Telarah, under a partnership between the NSW Government, Commonwealth Government and Pacific Link Housing.

The site was originally slated to be sold to the private market but has been saved for dedicated social and affordable homes for people in need.

The deal was made possible by an investment from the Department of Communities and Justice of $8 million, which utilises the Federal Government’s $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator Fund (SHAF), together with co-contribution from Central Coast-based community housing provider Pacific Link Housing.

Pacific Link Housing will own and manage the properties and ensure residents have access to co-ordinated wrap around support services to empower them to lead fulfilling lives within their own community.

The two complexes in East Gosford and Telarah comprise 31 social housing units and six affordable homes.

The properties feature shared outdoor areas and parking spaces. They are located near essential services and amenities including supermarkets, medical facilities and public transport, ensuring the convenience and needs of residents are met.

The properties are part of the 120 social homes the NSW Government has in its pipeline under the SHAF – Tranche 1, to be delivered by May 2026.

NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“Our priority is to not only deliver more social and affordable housing but to retain what we have across NSW, so we can get more people off the housing waitlist and into homes.

“In addition to providing safe and secure housing, the wrap around services are crucial to ensure we are empowering residents to lead fulfilling and independent lives within their own communities.

“Achieving better outcomes starts from having a safe place to live and we are not only delivering homes, we are giving people who need it most the best opportunity for a brighter future.”

NSW Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:

“Like many communities around the state, Central Coast locals are feeling the brunt of a lack of affordable housing availability and cost-of-living pressures every day and that’s why projects like this are so vital.

“The purchase of these 37 properties not only provides security for the residents, but it also frees up Pacific Link Housing to redirect funding to other properties and find homes for those on the region’s social housing waitlist."

NSW Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:

“The harsh reality is that we have over 1000 people on the social housing waitlist in the region. We need to do everything we can to retain and deliver more social and affordable homes.

“Especially when these homes are in places where people want to live and work and located near the services people need.”

Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said:

“The Federal Government’s $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator Fund has provided certainty and security for these residents.

“We will continue to work with State and territory governments to help secure and deliver more vital housing. I can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have within our community.”

Pacific Link Housing Chairman Wal Edgell said:

"The acquisitions allow Pacific Link Housing to manage the dwellings as social housing in perpetuity.

“We are proud to be the first community housing provider in NSW to access the Social Housing Accelerator Fund to deliver more social and affordable housing for our community.”

Pacific Link Housing CEO Ian Lynch said:

“Community housing providers like Pacific Link Housing are a critical part of the local ecosystem in delivering quality social and affordable housing.

“Having a secure place to call home is important, but housing is more than just having a roof over one’s head. We also focus on creating inclusive communities and encouraging friendships, connection and support networks for our tenants.”