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CVC puts $175k towards ‘out of the blue’ affordable housing proposal

Geoff Helisma|

Clarence Valley Council has approved a request from Clarence Village Limited (CVL) to cover the $175,000 Section 64 (S64) fee that a developer would normally pay for the construction of 22 affordable housing units for seniors.

All councillors, apart from councillors Toms and Baker (Cr Clancy was absent due to illness), supported the proposal, based upon a letter from CVL, dated December 6, and a deputation given by CVL board chair Geoffrey Shepherd prior to the December 17 council meeting.

Clarence Village Limited describes itself as a “community-owned not-for-profit organisation that has been providing accommodation and care services for seniors for over 40 years”.

Its latest financial report states CVL held $15,640,911 in “retained profits” and/or “total equity” as at June 30, 2018 – profits over the 2018 and 2017 financial years were $801,832 and $1,029,659 respectively.

The report to the CVC meeting stated that CVL is “applying for assistance from the Federal Government Building Better Regions Round 4 – Drought Support funding, to build [the] … units at 95 Armidale Road, South Grafton”.

“These units will be offered to seniors who are eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance for 25% of their single pension per fortnight,” the report to council stated.

“In the current commercial market a comparable property costs 55% of the single aged pension.”

Councillors resolved to pay the “$175,000 on behalf of CVL, if the Building Better Regions application … is successful, at the completion of the property transfer … to the ownership of Clarence Village Limited”.

Councillors resolved to source the money from its Clarence Care and Support Administration Reserve – CVC is amid “divesting its interest in delivering community care services currently provided by Clarence Care + Support”.