Tenants on the NSW Mid North Coast will benefit from Home in Place working more closely with two other leading local community housing organisations.

Home in Place, Community Housing Limited (CHL) and Mission Australia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost community engagement support for their tenants.

The MoU is designed to support sharing resources to help build more resilient and connected communities in Port Macquarie, Taree, Bulahdelah, Forster, Tuncurry, Wingham, Kempsey, South West Rocks, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour. Creating more opportunities for people to connect with their local communities and participate in events and activities.

Home in Place Mid North Coast Community Participation Officer Michelle Palmer said the three organisations have already been informally working together to build a better community. She said this is important because rising cost of living is preventing some tenants from participating in community activities.

“We recently came together with the Aboriginal Housing Office to take some of our tenants to a senior’s event in Port Macquarie,” Ms Palmer said.

“We are also working on joint grant submissions for community development projects that will benefit our respective tenants and community such as community gardens,” she said..

“By working more closely together and pooling resources, we can better support tenants to access opportunities to come together and participate in their communities.”

CHL NSW Community Development Manager Steve Neale said the new partnership between three of the largest and most respected community housing organisations in the region will bring great benefits to tenants.

“Housing and community connections provide the foundation for living a good life,” Mr Neale said.

“The new partnership allows our organisations to work collaboratively in community development projects across the Mid North Coast to address issues facing our communities and have a greater, positive impact on our tenants’ social and emotional wellbeing.

“CHL have been working collaboratively with Mission Australia and Home in Place for a long time so it’s exciting to be making this partnership official. By streamlining our resources and working together on an aligned vision, the new collaboration will focus on further strengthening our efforts towards building resilient and connected communities in the region.”

Mission Australia Mid North Coast Community Development Manager Jesse Taylor said the community development teams are critical in supporting tenants to be part of thriving communities.

“Mission Australia is so pleased to grow our community development partnerships along with this wonderful community garden,” Mr Taylor said.

“Our community development teams connect and empower tenants with appropriate programs, services and community initiatives. Their ability to build trust and communication channels with tenants continues to foster a positive community culture.

“The new initiative will help to reduce loneliness and promote a healthy lifestyle and a sense of community. We are so excited to have this opportunity to come together and help our tenants thrive.”

The MoU signing comes amid rising rental prices in some of the region’s postcodes pushing more people on to social and affordable housing waiting lists.

Home in Place is a not-for-profit community housing provider which manages more than 7,000 social, affordable and disability properties in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, including 700 on the Mid North Coast.