Help Keep Our Healthcare Workers Close to Home

Homes for Health: Hartley House Reopens & What’s Next

We’re pleased to share that Hartley House, a key hospital ward at Bellinger River District Hospital, has now reopened — restoring vital capacity to our local health service.

This milestone reflects what’s possible when a community comes together. By offering housing, local residents supported local healthcare workers to stay living in the communities they serve.

Every housing offer made a difference. Your generosity and community spirit helped deliver a tangible outcome that benefits the entire region. Thank you for being part of the solution.

What’s Next for Homes for Health?

With the Stage One of the program complete, we’re now turning our attention to Stage Two, which focuses on ensuring the program continues to meet local needs in a sustainable and impactful way.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we’ve received more housing offers than are currently needed by the hospital. This presents an exciting opportunity to expand the program to support other essential healthcare workers across the Shire — including GPs, paramedics, aged care staff, and allied health professionals — many of whom are also struggling to secure affordable housing.

Program leads Penny Davidson, and a committed team of volunteers, are exploring how Homes for Health can grow to support a broader cross-section of the healthcare workforce.

Thank You to Our EOFY Donors

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated to our End of Financial Year appeal. Your contributions are already helping us grow the program and explore new ways to support local healthcare workers with secure, affordable housing.

Your generosity is making a real and lasting difference — thank you!

How the Program Works

Local homeowners offer:

  • Short-Term (Up to 6 Weeks): For student nurses on placement

  • Interim (Up to 12 Months): Affordable rentals for essential workers

  • Long-Term: Transitioning holiday homes to provide ongoing housing

We also support broader solutions through the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust Ltd (WWCLT Ltd) — creating permanently affordable housing for local workers.

Join the Movement

Whether you’re a homeowner with a spare room or a donor ready to act, you can help keep healthcare workers close to home.

Get in touch: info@housingmatters.org.au
Call us: 0494 331 821
Watch the film to see why this matters

Acknowledgement of Country.

Jagun yaam Gumbaynggirrgundi. We acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr People as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to all Elders and First Peoples past, present and emerging. Always was, always will be.