The day after Adam Blakester declared his candidacy as an independent representative for the upcoming federal election his Starfish Foundation settled the first purchase in its sustainable housing project.
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Called BackHome for Girls, it is an initiative between BackTrack Youth Works, Homes North and Starfish Initiatives and as of Friday, February 22, the Starfish Foundation Fund now owns its first investment property.
“The project has been designed to create multiple positive benefits,” said Mr Blakester said in his capacity as the executive director of Starfish Initiatives.
“Better still, each of these benefits complement each other and can continue on an almost perpetual basis. It is a win-win-win-win!”
A media release announcing the project earlier this month says BackHome for Girls is a purpose-fit, affordable housing property which Starfish has purchased to provide safe, secure and supported accommodation for young women in Armidale.
There is a growing need nationally to provide safe and affordable accommodation for young people
- Adam Blakester executive director Starfish Initiative
"There is a growing need nationally to provide safe and affordable accommodation for young people," Mr Blakster said.
Backtrack CEO Bernie Shakeshaft said the partnership takes an innovative approach to provide solutions here in Armidale.
“BackHome for Girls gives us a stable and safe home for three young women, which in turn, enables us to better support them to work through tough times and get their lives back on track,” Mr Shakeshaft said.
The home is being managed by affordable and social housing specialist, Homes North and will further increase its affordable housing portfolio.
“Having a committed service like BackTrack providing intensive and personalised mentoring to the young women makes setting up and sustaining a home so much more achievable,” said Homes North CEO, Maree Mackenzie.
There is a greater need for social housing than we can meet, and we would welcome hearing from other property investors who are interested to invest this way
- Maree Mackenzie CEO HomesNorth
“The three-way partnership with Starfish, BackTrack, and Homes North means young people are given the best possible start to setting up a home of their own ~ support, understanding and lower cost of living. There is a greater need for social housing than we can meet, and we would welcome hearing from other property investors who are interested to invest this way.”
Starfish began in 2008 with the New England Sustainability Strategy and Farming the Sun, but didn't officially gain approval for its charitable work - particularly the ability to receive tax-deductible donations - until 2016. In 2017 it received a half a million dollar donation to start up the Starfish Foundation, and the organisation now works in seven countries .
The BackHome for Girl' project is part of Starfish's Rural Sustainability Endowment Fund and the net rental income received will go back into the fund.
"The purpose of the fund is to raise money for rural sustainability, invest that money into generate investment returns and then use the surpluses to make rural sustainability micro-grants," Mr Blakester said.
“BackHome for Girls is a different way of investing. Investing our foundation's money in this way strengthens our 'rural balance sheet' by keeping money in our rural communities instead of the usual investment channels that flow money to the metropolitan centres and international markets.
"It is also a way of investing that creates an ongoing stream of social and environmental benefits, both from the investments themselves, like BackHome, and from Starfish's rural sustainability micro-grants.”
Starfish is now appealing for donations and in-kind support to upgrade the sustainability of the home and make it more affordable, safe and comfortable for the tenants as well as more environmentally friendly. So far the project has received a solar power donation.
"The planned upgrades include solar power, high-efficiency heating-cooling-ventilation, thermal window coverings and efficient lighting," said Mr Blakester.
"Modifications will also be made to improve the safety of the property with security locks and the removal of gas appliances.
providing safe and secure housing for these young women is not a luxury; rather it’s a community responsibility.
- Adam Blakester executive director Starfish Initiative
"Starfish believes that providing safe and secure housing for these young women is not a luxury; rather it’s a community responsibility. These upgrades will make it more affordable, safe and comfortable for the young women tenants as well as more environmentally friendly.”
Mr Blakester said Starfish is appealing for community donations and in-kind support to upgrade the sustainability of the home and welcomes any support, donations and in-kind contributions to realise this vision.