Housing Matters Action Group assists in securing long-term affordable housing for local women over 55 

For older women in regional NSW, the housing crisis has been especially difficult. The Bellingen Housing Matters Action Group (HMAG), a member organisation of Shelter NSW, has been working for several years now to highlight this issue. Their fight for safe and secure housing for local residents has recently led to a significant win.  

As reported by the ABC, “Twenty-three women over the age of 55 are preparing to move into a new affordable housing complex at Bellingen… Rent for the units is capped at $245 a week… That is significantly cheaper than what is being asked for similar units in nearby Coffs Harbour (median rent of $400) and Nambucca ($300).  

HMAG Coordinator Rose West has assisted the project developer in finding suitable candidates for tenancies in the project. These tenancies will be long-term, with controlled rents and no threat of eviction. According to the CEO of the Royal Freemason Benevolent Institution (RFBI), “[the tenants] will be able to stay there as long as they want.”  

Options like the Watson Place can change lives for for older women and other at-risk cohorts. As Barbara Phillips, one of the new tenants, said to media: “knowing I’ve got this to come home to every day … it’s going to be the best Christmas present anyone can give. When you’re going through depression and grieving you can’t see the light. Eventually this came, and now I can see the light.” 

Congratulations and excellent work to the HMAG team and everyone involved in delivering this fantastic outcome for the community. We can’t wait to see what’s next! 

Image: Maggie Hamill is one of 23 women accepted into an affordable housing project on the NSW Mid North Coast. 
Credit: ABC Coffs Coast: Jasmine Kassis