CHL had successfully tendered for the management of an additional 1,400 social housing properties in Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Nambucca Heads under the NSW government’s Social Housing Management Transfer Program (SHMT) late last year which is due to commence later this month. 

Speaking at the opening of CHL’s new Port Macquarie office, managing director Steve Bevington said they can now support the delivery of high quality services to customers in Port Macquarie and surrounds.

Alongside tenancy and property management, CHL will also take responsibility for managing applications for social housing and private rental assistance in the area and will play a leading role in coordinating the housing and homelessness support options for those in need.  This service is currently provided by NSW Family & Community Services (FACS). 

“As the primary provider of social housing in and around Port Macquarie, it’s important for us to work from a central location so we can provide responsive and localised services that are easily accessible by all those seeking housing assistance,” CHL’s NSW state manager, Dr Lucy Burgmann explained.

In preparation of this impending property transfer, CHL has also undertaken a comprehensive community engagement process since April this year.   

“We have spent the last few months engaging with the transferring tenants and local community to understand their needs and aspirations. We have also been building on our existing community networks and creating new partnerships in the region to be able to provide services that are tailored to community’s needs.  

“We are excited at the prospect of working collaboratively with our local partners and tenants to generate better long-term outcomes for them and their families,” adds Dr Burgmann. 

To cater for the expansion in services on the mid north coast, CHL has undertaken a major recruitment drive. 

Several new employment opportunities have been created including a combination of operational, frontline, back of house and maintenance roles - mostly recruited from within the community and a few transferring staff from FACS.

“We are looking forward to serving our new and existing Port Macquarie tenants and the wider community with a skilled and experienced team who are qualified and committed to supporting their needs.” Dr Burgmann said.

To celebrate the grand opening of its largest office in NSW, CHL hosted a morning tea with a Welcome to Country and invited tenants and community partners to build a “green wall” with plants symbolising growth.

As a result of this transfer program the properties under CHL’s management has doubled to 3,000 across the state.

“With a team that has the local knowledge and skills to deliver quality services to the people of Port Macquarie, we are confident of replicating our national success in managing large-scale social housing portfolios here on the mid north coast,” Steve added.