THREE new social housing projects in Sutherland Shire are among the first to be funded by the contentious sale of properties at Millers Point on Sydney Harbour, the state government says.
The multi-level developments, costing a total of more than $6 million, will provide 16 units that are specially designed for seniors, and a further eight general housing units.
They are in San Remo Avenue and Milburn Street, Gymea, and Darley Street, Miranda.
Work began last December on two of the blocks and in February on the third project.
A spokeswoman for Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard said that although planning and development applications may have taken place before the Millers Point auctions began last August, funding was based on the projected new revenue stream.
The program, which attracted strong criticism from some quarters, required the relocation of 600 tenants, many of them elderly and some with long ties to the area.
Mr Hazzard said in a statement that the Gymea and Miranda homes — as well as another at Beverly Hills— were among the first batch of projects spread across 11 Sydney suburbs to result from the Millers Point sales.
He said a separate bank account had been created, enabling "full transparency about the sales and capital outlays on new dwellings".
Accounts would be reported in the Department of Family and Community Services' annual report.
Mr Hazzard said Millers Point sales were expected to reap about $500 million, which would be re-invested into about 1500 new social housing dwellings, allowing more people on the waiting list to be housed faster.
Savings would also be made by not having to maintain old homes.
He said new homes were easy to maintain, modern, environmentally responsible and a better fit the needs of tenants.
"It is only fair that government look to maximise the benefit of our social housing assets for the most people," he said.
Robyn Wennekes, who waited 14 years for social housing, supports the sale of the Millers Point properties.
"If it gets deserving people into homes more quickly, I think it's good," said Ms Wennekes, who lives in a fibro cottage opposite a new development in San Remo Avenue, Gymea.
Ms Wennekes' son, 16, has severe disabilities and another son, 21, has a lesser disability.
She said her partner left her in 2005 "because he couldn't handle the pressure".
"I moved here last August after being on the waiting list since 2000," she said.
"For the five years before I got my house, I was [in private accommodation] at Hurstville and 'Housing' subsidised my rent."
Ms Wennekes said it was a great location, "close to everything, including GPs and specialists, and the neighbours are lovely.
"I hope the new people appreciate it.
"It makes me mad seeing on current affairs shows people rorting the system.
"I am all for the new new rules and regulations they have announced to cut down on rorts."
THE PLAN
A total of 293 properties in the harbourside area including some in The Rocks will be sold.
Twelve have been bought so far for an average of $2.2 million, raising almost $27 million, and three more are on the market.
About 3500 new dwellings are due to be built in the four years to 2017-18, an increase of 75 per cent on the previous four years.
About 1500 of the new dwellings will be funded from the Millers Point sales.
What do you think of the 'reinvestment' program?
