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More than 100 workers on lower incomes will get access to high-quality, affordable housing close to city jobs following the City of Sydney’s approval of a major new housing project.

Two new apartment blocks located just four kilometres south of the city centre at the fast growing Green Square precinct, will contain 104 units – all rented at below market rates.

Key workers on lower wages, including teachers, labourers, cleaners, police officers and hospital staff, will be eligible to rent the new apartments, which will be built by affordable housing provider City West Housing with funds provided by developers building apartments and offices at Green Square.

For Paula O’Connor, who’s worked for 19 years in a childcare centre, the deal is “marvellous” news for anyone who has found it impossible to find a place of their own close to their work, or has had to “couch surf” at friends’ homes.

“Last March I was paying over half of my wages on rent. Then my apartment was sold, I was given my marching orders and I was up the creek,” the 65 year-old said.
“For eight months I was homeless, I was staying with friends and relatives who would take me; I was moving around with my stuff in different friends’ garages.”

That changed when City West Housing provided Ms O’Connor with an affordable apartment in Zetland in December with a capped rent.

“It’s been a life changer for me, I’m so relieved to have this beautifully maintained place knowing I won’t be turned out, that I can afford to live, pay a bill, and that I can eat,” Ms O’Connor said.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was delighted to approve the project which would help workers like Ms O’Connor.

“For many workers on lower incomes, the City of Sydney area is an increasingly difficult place to live and raise a family because of rapidly rising rents. That’s why we have a target of making 7.5 per cent of all new housing affordable housing.

“To help lower income workers live near their jobs, we have negotiated contributions from developers at Green Square that will meet most of the nearly $40 million cost of this project.

“If people on low to moderate incomes can’t find reasonable affordable housing close to their jobs in the city, they’ll move further away to seek work nearer their new homes, and we’ll lose their valuable skills.”

Chief Executive of City West Housing, Janelle Goulding said she was delighted the City had approved plans for the project and indicated construction would get under way later this year.

“With 104 one, two and three bedroom apartments, this is our biggest ever project and we are very pleased with the quick Council approval which means we can get started without delay,” Ms Goulding said.

Families renting the City West apartments will be pay between 25 and 30 per cent of their income on rent with the proportion increasing according to the household income.
City West Housing is a not-for-profit company set up by the NSW Government in 1994 to provide quality, affordable accommodation for workers in the Sydney local government area.

The City’s affordable housing levy program in Green Square has seen more than 100 affordable rental housing units built in the area with a target of 330 affordable rental housing units in Green Square.

Green Square is one of the fastest growing parts of Sydney, and the City of Sydney has budgeted to spend $440 million providing community services and infrastructure for more than 20,000 workers and 50,000 residents who will live in the area by 2030.

For media inquiries: Matthew Moore, phone 0431 050 963 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Tyron Butson 0427 044 768 or email [email protected]

Tags: housing