SGCH, the largest community housing provider in NSW, has strengthened its commitment to safe and sustainable housing, officially unveiling a new 6-storey 26-unit apartment block in St Leonards for social and affordable housing customers.

Of the 16 social housing units, eight are occupied by women over the age of 55 and the other eight are occupied by vulnerable people. The 10 affordable residences are also fully tenanted.

“SGCH is thrilled to provide 26 social and affordable housing homes just when they are most needed,” Group CEO Scott Langford said.

“The lack of affordable housing is impacting more and more people. People who thought they’d never be in housing stress are reaching out for help.”

Diana’s* life changed when her husband died 15 years ago. She became homeless and was living out of her car. It took many years to find suitable accommodation for a medical condition.

She has since settled in well to her social housing apartment in Chandos St.

“Having a home means everything, absolutely everything,” she said. “I have not felt this way for such a long time. My home is 100 metres to the nearest train and bus, close to three supermarkets and easy to get to the local malls and my medical professionals.

“I can rest now, knowing this is my permanent home. I no longer have to think, ‘where am I going to be?’ Now that I have a home.”

“Diana’s story illustrates that quality social and affordable housing provides connection to social and economic opportunity. It is essential for the success of our city,” Mr Langford said.

“Supported by the NSW Government’s Social and Affordable Housing fund , SGCH partnered with Australian Village Management to provide high quality, sustainable homes in a great location.

“That is what we do best as a regulated community housing provider – we bring capital and capability together with government to create great places.”

SGCH will manage the building – an adaptive reuse of a former commercial building – delivered by AVM in an area of Sydney that is experiencing some of the lowest residential vacancy rates and highest rental growth in the past 12 months.

The Chandos St project is a 7-star NatHERS building and forms part of the NSW Government’s (Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) 2 program.

Chandos St residents with North Sydney MP Kylea Tink, the Federal Minister for Housing Julie Collins, SGCH Group CEO Scott Langford and SGCH Chair Karen Orvad.