A $46,901 state government grant has been awarded to Glen Innes public housing group Homes North to spruce up social housing in south west Glen Innes.
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The money will radically improve the look and safety of social housing in Glen Innes and also provide employment opportunities and valued work experience opportunities for locals, according to Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall.
“The funds will be used to provide fencing for homes in the area and the neighbourhood’s advisory group has been a strong advocate for the project,” Mr Marshall said.
Homes North’s Service Development Officer Nickie Murcell said many of the front yards have been used as short cuts for other community members, as a place to drop their rubbish as they go through or to easily go onto properties.
“A fence will also help increase trust issues between neighbours and improve social engagement by providing an opportunity to say a safe hello across the fence,” she said.
Glen Innes Tenants Advisory Group chairman Bob Kelly said the fences will provide tenants with a sense of pride in their homes.
“These fences will improve the lives of the tenants because they will feel secure and they will feel more pride in their property if they can build gardens within them with no fear of them being vandalised,” he said.
“We advocated for this because we have had reports of people walking past a residence after a big night out and urinating on their gardens or causing other damage, if the resident has a fence that should stop this type of thing occurring.
“I hope we can work out good solutions for tenants with this grant money and help people feel a bit more pride and security as everyone who has a home would like.”
Mr Marshall said the local workplace and recruitment organisation Best Employment will offer places for a number of social housing residents through their Work for the Dole scheme on the fencing project.
This initiative will improve the lives of our tenants.
- Bob Kelly
The grant is under the State Government’s Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF) – a three-year, $20million commitment to build stronger social housing communities.
“This is all about turning social housing areas into strong, vibrant communities that our residents are proud to call home,” Mr Marshall said.
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
