The Malanda Lions Club is transforming pensioner living and easing rental stress
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It’s no mystery that Australia, like the rest of the world, has seen its fair share of struggles in recent times, but seniors across the country have been particularly impacted.
Many have been forced to deal with the effects of a tight rental market, sky-high rent prices, and very few opportunities to find safe, affordable accommodation that will suit their needs.
However, one unlikely hero in the form of the Malanda Lions Club (MLC) in Queensland is fighting against these obstacles, helping pensioners find new homes that they can call their own at an incredibly affordable cost.
The story was far too inspiring, so let’s take a closer look at how the Lions Club is revolutionising senior living and how they’re helping to ease rental stress in the Far North of Australia.
Malanda is located south-west of Cairns, and is a town of approximately 2,000 people, nearly 40 per cent of which are aged over 60.
In such a small town, you’d think it’d be easy for anyone to find accommodation. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case, as recent rental figures actually found that there were only two rental vacancies available online.
This leaves many of the vulnerable population in need of somewhere to live.
MLC steps in to save the day
Having recognised the drought of rental opportunities for the elderly population in Malanda, the organisation has taken it upon themselves to help out where they can.
The club started building residential units for pensioners back in the 1960s after identifying a shortage of affordable accommodation. Since then, they have completed more in recent years.
The MLC now owns 18 building units across three complexes, and while they’re leased on a long-term basis, there are still around 20 people waiting in line for some much-needed housing.
‘We've got applications from people now that are in dire straits, and it's really sad,’ Project Manager Lionel Smith said.
‘There's a woman the other day who rang me who's been living in her car for three months, and I just can't help her because I don't have anything available,’ Mr Smith said.
‘That's why we've got to keep on building.’ he added.
The cost of renting at MLC
The cost of renting is kept as low as possible–just around $200 per week–and this finance is managed by a team of volunteers who not only help with administration but also tenant support, such as taking them shopping or to medical appointments.
‘[Banks] say, “Why aren't you charging $300 a week for these?” Because we don't want the money, mate. We want to look after the people,’ Mr Smith said.
The dream team at MLC
Mr Smith has willingly dedicated much of his time, energy and resources to making sure each and every tenant he has under his care has the best quality of life.
Mr Smith has gone above and beyond, using the funds that have been acquired through a mortgage refinance to build a new complex, which costs $140,000 for the land and between $150,000 and $220,000 for each dwelling.
To help manage expenses and preserve tenants’ quality of life, he’s also installed solar panels, comfortable air-conditioners, and wider doorways.
Mr Smith has no regrets either, rating it as his holiday–a way to give something back to the senior community. He mentions that while most amounts of money can always be better spent, he thought of the Lion Club’s investment as a life saver for many of its tenants.
A lifeline for those without a home
Some of the MLC’s tenants do not want to leave as well Julie Stewart, an MLC volunteer, shared: ‘We've had one lady in one of the units for 22 years. She keeps saying they're only going to take her out in a box.’
Peter Carlow is also one of the tenants who has been living in one of the new units for around a year—and he’s loving its close proximity to town.
Mr Carlow said: ‘Since I moved into this one, I never want to leave.’
Then there’s Gail Couchman, who, despite her bad back and hip, had been living out of a bus on a rural property—that is until she heard about MLC’s units.
‘I love that they're standalone, they're spacious…they're just so airy, and there's a lot of cross-breeze, and the community itself is lovely,’ Ms Couchman said.
Final thoughts
The Malanda Lions Club has done something that many organisations have overlooked for too long—endeavoured to create a comfortable, supportive living environment for pensioners in the Far North Queensland area.
What do you think of this story, members? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
Many have been forced to deal with the effects of a tight rental market, sky-high rent prices, and very few opportunities to find safe, affordable accommodation that will suit their needs.
However, one unlikely hero in the form of the Malanda Lions Club (MLC) in Queensland is fighting against these obstacles, helping pensioners find new homes that they can call their own at an incredibly affordable cost.
The story was far too inspiring, so let’s take a closer look at how the Lions Club is revolutionising senior living and how they’re helping to ease rental stress in the Far North of Australia.
MLC helps to ease the stress of rental living costs for pensioners. Image: Facebook / @Lions Club of Malanda
Malanda is located south-west of Cairns, and is a town of approximately 2,000 people, nearly 40 per cent of which are aged over 60.
In such a small town, you’d think it’d be easy for anyone to find accommodation. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case, as recent rental figures actually found that there were only two rental vacancies available online.
This leaves many of the vulnerable population in need of somewhere to live.
MLC steps in to save the day
Having recognised the drought of rental opportunities for the elderly population in Malanda, the organisation has taken it upon themselves to help out where they can.
The club started building residential units for pensioners back in the 1960s after identifying a shortage of affordable accommodation. Since then, they have completed more in recent years.
The MLC now owns 18 building units across three complexes, and while they’re leased on a long-term basis, there are still around 20 people waiting in line for some much-needed housing.
‘We've got applications from people now that are in dire straits, and it's really sad,’ Project Manager Lionel Smith said.
‘There's a woman the other day who rang me who's been living in her car for three months, and I just can't help her because I don't have anything available,’ Mr Smith said.
‘That's why we've got to keep on building.’ he added.
It only shows that MLC cares for pensioners, especially those who are in dire straits. Image: Freepik
The cost of renting at MLC
The cost of renting is kept as low as possible–just around $200 per week–and this finance is managed by a team of volunteers who not only help with administration but also tenant support, such as taking them shopping or to medical appointments.
‘[Banks] say, “Why aren't you charging $300 a week for these?” Because we don't want the money, mate. We want to look after the people,’ Mr Smith said.
The dream team at MLC
Mr Smith has willingly dedicated much of his time, energy and resources to making sure each and every tenant he has under his care has the best quality of life.
Mr Smith has gone above and beyond, using the funds that have been acquired through a mortgage refinance to build a new complex, which costs $140,000 for the land and between $150,000 and $220,000 for each dwelling.
To help manage expenses and preserve tenants’ quality of life, he’s also installed solar panels, comfortable air-conditioners, and wider doorways.
Mr Smith has no regrets either, rating it as his holiday–a way to give something back to the senior community. He mentions that while most amounts of money can always be better spent, he thought of the Lion Club’s investment as a life saver for many of its tenants.
A lifeline for those without a home
Some of the MLC’s tenants do not want to leave as well Julie Stewart, an MLC volunteer, shared: ‘We've had one lady in one of the units for 22 years. She keeps saying they're only going to take her out in a box.’
Peter Carlow is also one of the tenants who has been living in one of the new units for around a year—and he’s loving its close proximity to town.
Mr Carlow said: ‘Since I moved into this one, I never want to leave.’
Then there’s Gail Couchman, who, despite her bad back and hip, had been living out of a bus on a rural property—that is until she heard about MLC’s units.
‘I love that they're standalone, they're spacious…they're just so airy, and there's a lot of cross-breeze, and the community itself is lovely,’ Ms Couchman said.
Final thoughts
The Malanda Lions Club has done something that many organisations have overlooked for too long—endeavoured to create a comfortable, supportive living environment for pensioners in the Far North Queensland area.
What do you think of this story, members? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
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