BATHURST is set to receive a share in a multi-million-dollar investment to deliver a number of social and affordable houses to the Central West.
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Community housing provider Housing Plus has announced that it will commit $75 million towards 220 new social and affordable homes across the Central West.
Bathurst has been allocated 47 of the new homes, which is expected to comprise $15 million of the investment.
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Housing Plus project director Justin Cantelo said the company was in the process of securing sites for the new homes.
"We will be submitting a DA to Bathurst Regional Council this month to commence construction at an empty lot on Havannah Street," Mr Cantelo said.
"We're adopting a 'salt and pepper' approach to this project by making sure that we have a mix of social, affordable and private housing in any given neighbourhood."
The site that Housing Plus is interested in is 48 Havannah Street.
Mr Cantelo said the new homes would aim to provide affordable options for more vulnerable members of society.
"These dwellings will predominantly target members of the community who are over 55, particularly single pensioners," he said.
"Around 90 per cent of the dwellings are expected to be one and two bedroom villas, which reflects an increase in the number of people living on their own."
According to Anglicare Australia's 2018 Rental Affordability Snapshot, less than five per cent of available houses were affordable for a childless couple receiving the aged pension.
In addition, only one per cent of properties were affordable for a single person on an aged pension.
"There's an urgent need for affordable housing in the region, and we see this initiative as a positive approach to creating diverse and integrated communities," Mr Cantelo said.
He said the houses will be designed to fit in with the character of their surrounding residential areas.
"Each dwelling will meet the silver level of the Australian Livable Housing Design Guidelines, which means they'll be built to meet the needs of seniors as they age," he said.
"The houses will also be energy efficient, which will help reduce electricity bills for the more vulnerable people in our community."
The first properties are expected to become available as early as October this year.