PLANS for an 18-unit social housing development in East Maitland have been lodged with Maitland City Council.
The NSW government has proposed the $6 million three-storey development for a site in Fieldsend Street.
The project is part of the government's investment in building more fit-for-purpose social housing in regional NSW, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Catherine Cusack said.
"This proposed redevelopment will transform the site that currently contains two aged dwellings and a parcel of vacant land into 18 new homes, located near local shops and public transport to conveniently connect local residents with Maitland and Newcastle," she said.
"The contracting of local builders and suppliers will also be prioritised during construction, creating an estimated 29 local jobs during construction."
Housing Minister Melinda Pavey said the contemporary housing was designed to blend in with the local community and help revitalise the surrounding area.
"Communities throughout NSW can expect to see more of these types of developments providing multiple benefits, as the NSW government continues to deliver on its commitment to build more and better public housing," she said.
The development includes nine one-bedroom units and nine two-bedroom units with onsite parking and landscaping works.
If approved, the government expects to start construction in mid-2021. The first tenants would then likely move in a year later.
The property will ultimately be transferred to a community housing provider to provide management services.
Ms Cusack said the development was part of the NSW government's Future Directions for Social Housing plan.
The program aims to drive better outcomes for tenants by providing improved social housing that blends-in with local communities.
Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison welcomed the government's investment but said it was "well overdue".
"We've been calling for this for some time, we've got a 10-year waiting list in Matiland for social housing," she said.
"It's a shame it's taken this long to get the government to act. There's been so many buildings falling into disrepair.
"It's well past time they started on this."
