Two of Australia's leading community housing providers, Link Housing and Wentworth Community Housing, have announced they are joining forces.
The two organisations have signed a merger agreement with the intention to formally become Link Wentworth Housing Ltd (Link Wentworth) on March 31, 2021.
The Board has appointed former Housing NSW CEO, Mike Allen, as Chair-elect, with Link Housing CEO, Andrew McAnulty announced as CEO-elect. The merger of these two major providers means Link Wentworth will be one of the largest community housing providers in New South Wales, able to leverage its scale to enable greater provision of social and affordable housing to those most in need.
Following the merger, Link Wentworth, will be one of the largest community housing providers in Australia managing over 6,300 homes with about 10,000 residents and 200 staff, with projected combined revenue of $85 million and combined net assets in excess of $200 million.
The Link Wentworth Board will be chaired by respected industry leader, Mike Allen, an independent housing advisor and former CEO of Housing NSW, who believes the merger is an exciting next step for Link Housing and Wentworth Community Housing.
"Together, the two organisations will bring their history, experience, talent and capabilities to deliver more and better services. Having had a career in housing, I am encouraged by the shared mission and vision for the future of these high quality organisations - and I am very much looking forward to supporting the board and management as the new Chair of Link Wentworth from day one of the new organisation, March 31, 2021."
Andrew McAnulty, current CEO of Link Housing, has been appointed CEO-elect for Link Wentworth and is looking forward to taking on the role of CEO.
"I am humbled by the opportunity to be the CEO of Link Wentworth. Bringing together two great organisations provides us with the potential to do significantly more for those most in need within our community. We will be an organisation more able to advocate for people in need and to then deliver innovative housing solutions in partnership with all three tiers of Government and the private sector. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to make a difference," he said.
Wentworth Community Housing CEO Stephen McIntyre has chosen not to continue a full-time executive career due to personal reasons; however, he will continue his commitment to addressing social and economic disadvantage. Mr McIntyre believes the merger is a positive move that will make a difference to people's lives.
"This is an exciting development for Wentworth and Link and the community housing sector. It will place us in a much stronger position to take advantage of opportunities that arise to expand the supply of housing and housing-related services. We know from our work at Wentworth that secure, appropriate and affordable housing can turn lives around. The most significant benefit of this merger is that we will be able to deliver more housing and services to the most vulnerable people in our communities," said Mr McIntyre.
