Matrix Guild
Victoria Inc.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the VWHA. Front row L to R, Sara Elkas (Public and Financial Officer of Matrix), Anneke Deutsch (Matrix RETG convenor).  Back row L to R: Jennifer Feeney (Matrix’s solicitor), Jeanette Large (VWHA’s CEO), Carmel McCormack (Chair of VWHA’s Board)

HOUSING IN BRUNSWICK - view details here

View progress in Photo Gallery - here

Heather Chapple - born 10 November 1944 and died 5 October 2007 - provided the first bequest received by Matrix.  Her money will allow Matrix to house 3-4 elderly, financially disadvantaged lesbians.

The Bequest

Heather Chapple, a lesbian feminist who loved animals, to dance, to bird watch and to coax vegetable seedlings from the soil, was also an accomplished poet and carpenter. When she died, Heather left $300,000 to Matrix for the purpose of providing affordable rental housing for older, financially disadvantaged lesbians. The Matrix Real Estate Task Group (RETG) formed and began looking for a unit or flat to buy with Heather’s bequest towards the end of 2008.

The Social Housing Funding

Then the federal government announced an unprecedented amount of money would be available for social housing as part of its economic stimulus package.  This money would largely be spent via Registered Housing Providers (RHP’s).  The RHP needed to provide 25% of the finance and then the Office of Housing (OoH) would foot 75% of the purchase price of newly built accommodation.

The Partnership

Since March 2009, RETG has been in negotiations with a RHP called the Victorian Women’s Housing Association (VWHA) to see if we could partner with them to access some of this social housing money. VWHA is a feminist, non-profit organisation, set up to provide low cost housing options for women who experience disadvantage.  It is run by a voluntary board of skilled women, with 4 employees and supported by a lot of other women who provide free professional services such as legal, accounting, project management and graphic work. (see www.vwha.org.au) . They have values and policies that mesh well with those of the Matrix Guild.

Matrix will provide the seeding finance, enabling the VWHA to access the remainder of funds from the OoH.  This will allow Matrix to house 3-4 times as many lesbians as Heather’s bequest on its own could have done.  VWHA will hold the titles, but Matrix will always select the lesbian tenants. In the unlikely event that the VWHA decides to sell these properties, and no suitable substitute property is available, then the Matrix bequest (as a percentage of the sale price) will be refunded.  Matrix would then benefit from the growth in the property value. Matrix is very grateful to Jennifer Feeney for her thoughtful, pro bono legal advice. 

On 11th September 2009 we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - and on the 30th October 2009 a partnering agreement was sealed with the VWHA to buy 3 apartments in a new complex at 201 Albert St. Brunswick.

The Apartments

• Will be purpose built for universal access
• Will have two bedrooms each
• Are in a 5-storey block of about 40 with lifts and a gym
• Are north-facing and near each other on the 4th and 5th floors
• Will have solar hot water
• Will have A/C, heating
• Will have stainless steel appliances, gas cooking
• Will each have a secure, basement car-park with caged storage

It is expected that the building will be completed by the end of March 2011.  The apartments will then be available for lease for older, financially disadvantaged lesbians who have difficulty affording current market rent.  The intention is to provide universally accessible, long term, secure housing for those in most need.  Rent will be pegged at 25% total household income - usually - the full pension, plus full rent assistance.  Matrix will endeavour to provide social support to the tenant, should this be required, but the applicants must be capable of independent living. The VWHA will act as lessor.  Where possible, they will source female trades people.

To Apply

Matrix will develop guidelines for selecting tenants.  These will be posted on our web site in the 2nd half of 2010 and will also be available by post.  Both single lesbians and couples who suit the criteria will be encouraged to apply. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate their financial position with supporting documentation.
 
For more information, or to express your interest, contact housing@matrixguildvic.org.au or call Anneke on 5348 2976 or 0427 482 976.

CONSIDER MATRIX IN YOUR WILL

Just as Heather has done, you too could make a difference to some of your lesbian sisters who are elderly, perhaps living with a disability and are in a poor financial position.  Lesbians who aren’t homeowners, find it almost impossible to afford market rent on the aged or disability pension. 

Please remember Matrix and her work in providing affordable, secure housing when you make your will.  You can stipulate exactly how you’d like the money spent.

If lesbians don’t bequest and donate money to Matrix’s housing projects, who will?

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