HomeGround Annual Report 2010/11 - HomeGround Services

TRULY
SOCIAL
HOUSING–
THE
NICHOLSON
The Nicholson,
located in
East Coburg,
is an example
of innovation
in community
housing
including
social mix,
tenure mix,
mix of
residential and
commercial
spaces, design
excellence,
modular
construction
techniques and
sustainability
features.
It is fully integrated into the broader
community, and has been delivered
through a partnership model which
also includes a support framework to
ensure that those tenants with histories
of homelessness receive the support
they need to establish and sustain
their tenancies.
Of 199 apartments, 58 are owned by
HomeGround and being made available
to general community housing tenants
and, with support, to a smaller number
who have experienced homelessness.
Around 65 have been sold to owner−
occupiers, around 45 to investors
for renting and around 30 subsidised
rentals through the National Rental
Affordability Scheme.
There are also commercial and retail
spaces on the ground floor of the
building, providing employment
opportunities and completing the
microcosm of society that will make this
innovative new building its home.
Urban Communities Ltd are the owners’
corporation manager and tenancy
manager for The Nicholson. They use
a place management framework that
focuses all activities in tenancy and
property management (including
cleaning and maintenance contracts)
to encourage community strengthening,
tenant participation and employment.
The Nicholson is an example of the future
for social housing where it blends in to
the neighbourhood with community
housing tenants being neighbours like
any other.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2010 — 2011 41