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Mission Australia CEO James Toomey and Chairman Kenneth Dean at the opening ceremony
Published: 11 April 2019

Mission Australia Housing opens Coffs Harbour office to take on social homes tenancy management

On Wednesday 6 March, an opening ceremony will be held at Mission Australia Housing’s newest office in Coffs Harbour. Andrew Fraser the Member for Coffs Harbour, Mayor Councillor Denise Knight and Mission Australia’s Chairman Ken Dean and CEO James Toomey, staff and tenants will be in attendance at the ceremony.

The Gordon Street office is in a central location to support effective coordination of Mission Australia Housing’s growing footprint of social homes in Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Urunga. By July, the Tier One Community Housing Provider will have tripled their tenancy management portfolio in the region. Mission Australia Housing is taking on an extra 1,050 social homes and by mid-year will be managing 1,391 properties in total as part of the NSW Government’s Social Housing Management Transfer Program. To manage the increase in properties and provide ongoing support to residents, the number of staff based in Coffs Harbour will increase from one person to 20 staff members.

Mission Australia currently provides services on the Mid North Coast from the Sawtell office, including a drug and alcohol outreach program for young people, mental health supports and a parent pre-employment program. Once the full transfer is complete, Mission Australia Housing will work closely with existing Mission Australia support services and other local community services to provide a coordinated supportive approach for residents in the region.

Mission Australia CEO, James Toomey said: “Mission Australia Housing is thrilled to begin operating out of this much needed office. We have a proud history here on the Mid North Coast as a community services organisation working to support people who are vulnerable in this community and have had dedicated local staff working tirelessly in the area for many years. So we welcome this opportunity to deepen our connections here on the Mid North Coast and increase our level of support to people who need it.

“Our intention for Mission Australia Housing here in Coffs Harbour is not just about delivering more housing properties. It’s about creating homes for people and a thriving self-supportive community. These properties are not only a home, but also a community with opportunities for people to connect with services, activities and each other, which is an important part of the journey to long-term independence for many residents.

“There are far too many people living without a safe, secure place to call home. On any given night, 1,073 people are homeless on the Mid North Coast. So it’s clear more needs to be done to reduce homelessness in the region and across the nation.

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce homelessness and strengthen communities here in Coffs Harbour and across Australia. Because every single one of us deserves a safe, welcoming and well-connected place to call home.

“In the near future, we will be looking at opportunities to expand our reach and portfolio in this area to meet the very real need, both from a service delivery and social homes perspective.”

Mission Australia Housing Executive, Chris Bratchford said: “Community Housing Providers like Mission Australia Housing provide supports to tenants based on their individual needs, linking them with local services and supporting them to maintain their tenancies. Our aim in this region is to deliver better homes in vibrant communities and services that are tailored to individual need so our residents are supported to move towards independence.”

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Our founding purpose - 'Inspired by Jesus Christ, Mission Australia exists to meet human need and to spread the knowledge of the love of God'

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Mission Australia Housing is a Tier 1 Registered Housing Provider through National Registration and is registered as a ‘Growth Provider’ with the WA Housing Authority. Mission Australia Housing is also a National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) Approved Participant.

Mission Australia Housing Victoria is a Registered Housing Provider with the Victorian Housing Registrar.