Social Housing Stimulus Boosts Northern Beaches Economy
The NSW Government’s Social Housing Maintenance Stimulus Program is delivering multiple social and economic benefits for the Sydney and the Northern Beaches.
Member for Manly James Griffin said local trades, tenants and businesses are gaining direct support due to the NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s prudent roll-out of the $47 million Program, announced in the NSW Government’s $2.3 billion COVID-19 stimulus package.
“This timely investment has seen almost $640,000 committed towards spending on important maintenance works and upgrades on social housing properties in the Manly area,” Mr Griffin said.
“Local businesses and trades are directly and indirectly engaged in doing this work which has given our local economy a critical boost while improving social housing, to support local tenants and communities.”
Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said by mid-May all works orders were issued by the LAHC, representing a 100 per cent commitment on delivery of the State-wide program.
“Over the past twelve weeks, more than 2,400 new work orders have been issued, providing about $4 million extra per week in critical maintenance spending. These works will improve over 2,200 dwellings, and another 200 buildings, grounds and complexes in NSW.”
Minister Pavey said the $47 million stimulus has also supported over 500 jobs in mostly building and construction trades, while making much needed capital upgrades to social housing properties in regional and metropolitan communities.
“This unprecedented crisis calls for different thinking and innovative approaches and that’s exactly what we’re doing with this stimulus maintenance program,” Minister Pavey said.
“We’re providing a boost to jobs, supporting the NSW economy and local communities while backing vulnerable people by improving social housing.
A similar stimulus works program costing $13.5m is being undertaken through the Aboriginal Housing Office with a focus on improving living conditions and reducing cost of living pressures for Aboriginal tenants in regional and remote NSW.