Older Women in Cohousing is a stone’s throw from reaching its target of $1.4 million to support the Middle Women’s Housing Fund, paving the way for the construction of a sustainable, low-impact cohousing village on their five-acre property in Castlemaine.
Wanting to reflect the diversity and financial status of all women, WINC is ensuring that five of the 31 houses will be available for women accessing social housing, and five of the homes will be allocated to ‘middle women’, those who have some income or assets, but are deemed ineligible for a mortgage, largely due to their age.
WINC co-founder Mary-Faeth Chenery told the Express that the ‘middle women’ would contribute at least 40 per cent of the cost of their home, and the fund would fill in the gap.
“It’s a perpetual fund, which means the middle woman’s part will go to her family or her estate, and the money in the fund will ideally grow, and we can fund that next woman,” she said.
“We have five wonderful women who want to live here, who can’t afford to. These women are in the age group and the asset group that are quite likely to be homeless in the future if there isn’t a solution available.”
WINC’s plans have been approved by the council, and they hope to begin the civil works, building roads and services early next year, with construction of the dwellings expected to commence by the end of 2026.
“Ideally, I’d like to be in my home by Christmas 2027,” Mary-Faeth said.
“I’ve learned a lot more than I ever wanted to know about housing! But what it has done for me is to give me the capacity to help others, and that’s what I want to do.
“Demonstrating and documenting this initiative means it can be replicated here and around the country and continue to grow.
“Yes, we’re doing this for ourselves, but most of us wouldn’t be doing it if it was just for us; it needs to be bigger than that.”
With only $200,000 until they reach their target, it is a relatively small amount to give an untold number of older women housing security well into the future.
If you want to donate, visit www.givenow.com.au/wincmiddle-women-housingfund. All donations are tax-deductible.
WINC is hosting an open day on Saturday, October 25, from 11am to 1pm at 19 Macafee Road, Castlemaine, with lunch provided.
Head along and meet WINC members and learn about their plans and processes to create a wonderful community with 31 small homes.
RSVP to Mary-Faeth Chenery, mary-faeth@winccohousing.org.au
For more information, visit winccohousing.org.au
