EHDO’s Nightingale project, which is launching to the public today, is located at 29 Wood Street in Fremantle. The Nightingale project aims to create an affordable housing model designed to achieve both social and environmental benefits.
Nightingale Housing Fremantle is a not-for-profit organisation which promotes the building of communities, not just market commodities. The Nightingale developments aim to increase affordability by selling housing directly to homebuyers without many of the ‘add-on’ costs associated with typical developments, such as agent fees, marketing and display suites. The requirements of the owner-occupier and the community are emphasised over investor profit.
Nightingale Housing is a mixed-used development consisting of approximately 15 apartments, 250 square metres of commercial space, and a large communal area on the roof, as well as commercial spaces available for lease or purchase.
The Nightingale ethos is driven by the reality that home ownership is becoming increasingly out of reach, especially in Australia’s major cities. The rise of apartments in suburbs has not made housing more affordable, nor has it contributed to the suburban quality of life, in terms of good housing and neighbourhood design, access to services, and community building.
By working with innovative and forward thinking social impact investors and financiers to receive a capped profit, Nightingale is able to both deliver a sustainable profit as well as strong social outcomes. Purchasers of Nightingale housing are closely involved early in the design process within the context of Nightingale’s core values of social, environmental and long-term financial sustainability, allowing an approach which empowers purchasers with a sense of ownership in the outcome.
Maintaining their focus on environmental responsibility, Nightingale Fremantle will have a substantial photovoltaic array to power the building and reduce running costs for tenants. It will also include charge points in all car bays; water-wise gardens and water storage; and the use of sustainable building materials and passive solar design principles.
“This development will have a minimum 8.6-star energy rating (NatHERS) and estimated heating/cooling costs of $50 to $85 per year (per apartment),” said Property Developer, Don Fini.