In case you missed it, Link Wentworth featured on 9 News Sydney over the Easter long weekend regarding the importance of affordable housing and our partnership with Head Start Homes which enables people in social and affordable housing to find a path to home ownership. Â
Our CEO, Andrew McAnulty, talked about the importance of affordable housing provided by community housing providers and how affordable rents help people save.
The story featured Musawar, a current Link Wentworth resident and prospective first home buyer, who is being assisted by Head Start Homes to buy his first home. Musawar acknowledges that the affordable rent he has been paying over the last few years has enabled him to save and be able to buy his first home. With the assistance of the Head Start Homes Home Ownership Success Team, Musawar is receiving the support needed from their Empowerment Services.
Smita, a former Link Wentworth resident and now homeowner shared her story. Being in affordable housing gave Smita a sense of safety and stability, letting her focus on her life goals. After a few years of living in her much-loved apartment, Smita discovered the owner wanted to sell. Thanks to a first-home buyers’ scheme and her newfound financial stability, Smita was able to put in an offer and purchase the property. Smita credits Link Wentworth with giving her the ability to save for a deposit and pursue her homeownership dream, which she has achieved through a NSW state government first home buyers scheme for single parents.
Housing should be a human right, but the pathway to owning a home in Sydney seems out of reach for many due to surging living costs, low housing supply, historically high house prices, and rising interest rates. This is felt even more by those on lower incomes facing housing stress and homelessness.
Head Start Homes offer a range of free Empowerment Products and Services to help their clients overcome the three major barriers to homeownership: deposit; know-how; and supply. To be eligible, clients must meet income thresholds or live in social or affordable housing. Clients who are assessed and meet Head Start Homes eligibility criteria work with the Home Ownership Success Team to improve their financial capability, educate them about the home-buying process, and provide ongoing support through the entire homeownership journey.
To learn more about Head Start Homes Empowerment Services and Products, visit www.headstarthomes.org.au.
To see a list of state and federal government home ownership initiatives, visit https://www.linkwentworth.org.au/articles/state-and-federal-government-home-ownership-initiatives/.
Link Wentworth wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we work and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.