Signature Foundation is undertaking a project at Lalor Park, NSW where the house owned by a couple had been fire bombed and destroyed by the neighbour’s son who had moved into his mother’s place a few weeks prior to the incident, after being released from jail. Unfortunately, the house was not insured. Since immediately post-COVID the financial condition of the couple has deteriorated.
Signature Foundation proposed designing and building a duplex, sub-dividing it, selling one house and with the profits of that sale providing the other house at no cost to the owners of the property under a ‘profit for purpose’ model. If there is a shortfall of funds in making this happen, Signature Foundation will provide the resources and funds by soliciting donations from individuals, corporates and through its own funds. If there is a profit, the funds would be used for furthering the philanthropic objectives of Signature Foundation. If required, Signature would also try to source building materials at a concessional cost or free of charge from suppliers.
The owners would get ownership of half the land and a brand new 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom single garage dwelling.
The potential success of this project depends on the following:
Besides Signature Group of Companies providing its services for the Architectural Design and Project Management on a pro-bono basis, a number of Consultants that Signature work with have also offered to provide their services on a pro-bono basis. This includes the Surveyor, Town Planner, Development Manager, Civil and Stormwater Engineer, Structural Engineer, Landscape Architect, Arborist, BASIX Consultant, Accessibility Consultant, Photomontage Artist and Private Certifiers.
Signature Foundation has exchanged contracts to purchase a property at Whalan, near Mt Druitt, NSW. The property has a DA approval for an 18 room Boarding House.
Signature Foundation decided to undertake the development of an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence who would stay in the premises for a maximum of approx. 3 months. The project comprises 10- 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments, undercover secure carparking, an administrative area for the domestic violence service provider and an area for Habitat for Women which is a Social Enterprise to train women in doing basic building maintenance (similar to that done by a handyman) to provide them economic independence. This facility would be used to train the women living in the emergency shelter and also from the nearby areas. The project also proposes a roof top terrace for the residents comprising children’s play area, BBQ facilities and seating.
The DA for the project was lodged with the Council in July 2023 and the DA approval is expected in January/February 2024.
Signature Foundation has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Bonnies Support Services and Habitat for Humanity, Australia for the governance of the project. The project is supposed to be run by a SPV comprising three entities namely Bonnies Support Services as the specialist domestic violence service provider, Habitat for Humanity as the registered Community Housing Provider and Social Enterprise provider and Signature Foundation as the Developer.
Bonnies Support Services, Habitat for Humanity, Australia and Signature Foundation have applied for a grant from the Federal government and the project would be completed within 15 months of the start of the construction subject to being successful in procuring the grant.
If the grant cannot be procured, Signature Foundation will sell the property after procuring a Construction Certificate for the DA approved Boarding House.