Tackling the regional housing crisis together
The Housing Matters Action Group are locals working on affordable housing solutions. We need affordable, secure, accessible and environmentally responsible housing throughout the Bellingen and Nambucca Shires and right across the North Coast of NSW.
Everyone needs a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.
Waterfall Way Community Land Trust Ltd
We are excited to announce that the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust (WWCLT) Ltd is now live and actively engaging with the community to make this project a reality.
Supported by generous funding from the Siddle Family Foundation (SFF), the WWCLT Establishment Project is bringing to life one of Housing Matters Action Group’s longest-standing priorities: developing a community-led, permanently affordable housing model for Bellingen Shire.
The WWCLT is focused on delivering forever affordable shared homeownership for the ‘missing middle’—local people on local incomes who are priced out of the housing market.
We’ve now launched a community engagement campaign to introduce the Community Land Trust model across the Shire. Residents are encouraged to get involved by:
Completing a Registration of Interest form if you’re looking for secure, affordable homeownership in the coming years
Signing up as a Friend of the WWCLT Ltd to stay informed and help build the movement
Together, we can show that communities can create their own housing solutions—by the community, for the community.
Homes for Health: Hartley House Reopens & What’s Next
We’re pleased to share that Hartley House, a key hospital ward at Bellinger River District Hospital, has now reopened — restoring vital capacity to our local health service.
This milestone reflects what’s possible when a community comes together. By offering housing, local residents supported local healthcare workers to stay living in the communities they serve.
Every housing offer made a difference. Your generosity and community spirit helped deliver a tangible outcome that benefits the entire region. Thank you for being part of the solution.
What’s Next for Homes for Health?
With the Stage One of the program complete, we’re now turning our attention to Stage Two, which focuses on ensuring the program continues to meet local needs in a sustainable and impactful way.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we’ve received more housing offers than are currently needed by the hospital. This presents an exciting opportunity to expand the program to support other essential healthcare workers across the Shire — including GPs, paramedics, aged care staff, and allied health professionals — many of whom are also struggling to secure affordable housing.
Program leads Penny Davidson, and a committed team of volunteers, are exploring how Homes for Health can grow to support a broader cross-section of the healthcare workforce.
Thank You to Our EOFY Donors
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated to our End of Financial Year appeal. Your contributions are already helping us grow the program and explore new ways to support local healthcare workers with secure, affordable housing.
Your generosity is making a real and lasting difference — thank you!
The Housing Matters Action Group (HMAG) has 450 members with a core group of 30 active volunteers who really make things happen. Our membership is a mix of interested community members, representatives from relevant government and non-government organisations and interested people with expertise from across the housing system.
Volunteers are the driving force behind our Working Groups and Events. Their commitment and dedication speak to the care we have for each other as a community and our ability to make change when we work together.
Jagun yaam Gumbaynggirrgundi. We acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr People as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to all Elders and First Peoples past, present and emerging. Always was, always will be.