Rouse Hill’s latest affordable housing project provides blessed relief for new tenant

JAYNE Brooks is counting her blessings after finding a much needed home at Rouse Hill’s latest affordable housing scheme.

Jayne Brooks at the opening of the housing scheme. Pictures: Peter Kelly

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JAYNE Brooks is counting her blessings after finding a much needed home at Rouse Hill’s latest affordable housing scheme.

The single mother of two girls had been looking for months for a house to rent within her budget.

She was at her wits end when she got the great news that she was chosen as one of the 10 tenants of the Wentworth Community’s social and affordable housing project at the corner of Caddies Boulevard and Ngara St.

Local MPs Ray Williams and Alex Hawke with Jayne Brooks, Wentworth chairperson Keith Bryant, Hills Shire Council acting GM Michael Edgar and Wentworth CEO Stephen McIntyre.

“I thank God I was accepted as I had never won a chook raffle in my life,” Ms Brooks said.

“This is a big relief for me and I am very happy as this means my five-year-old, who has disabilities, will have access to many more facilities.

“I had been trying for several months because getting something reasonable and convenient is too hard to find.”

This is the second affordable project completed by Wentworth Community, with a 28-unit complex opened at Civic Way in Rouse Hill Town Centre last year.

The interior of one of the homes.

Mitchell federal Liberal MP Alex Hawke and Castle Hill state Liberal MP Ray Williams were present at the opening of the new $4.2 million complex recently, along with Stephen McIntyre, the CEO of Wentworth Housing.

Wentworth board director Amanda Anker officially opens the housing project with MPs Alex Hawke and Ray Williams. Pictures: Peter Kelly

Mr McIntyre said there is a rising demand for affordable housing in the area and he would like to work closely with the Hills Shire Council to better understand the needs and supply more such housing.

“Generally speaking, many people are struggling to find a unit as rents are going up in The Hills and we love to be able to do more across the whole of western Sydney and The Hills,” Mr McIntyre said.

Castle Hill State Liberal MP Ray Williams and Mitchell federal Liberal MP Alex Hawke plant a tree.

“Both the NSW and federal governments recognise that (affordable housing) is a significant issue but clearly more has to be done.

“There is so much demand for affordable housing and we need more in the area.

“This is the last such project in the Hills at this moment but we are building a 49-unit complex at St Mary’s which should be completed later this year.”

The 10-unit complex has a mix of three, two and one bedrooms with the land being provided by the developer as part of its affordable housing contribution under the Voluntary Planning.