Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser and the company's managing director Steve Bevington were given the ribbon cutting honours, speaking to the large crowd of CHL and other related community services employees.

And with housing affordability hitting an all time low last year according to Dem- ographia figures, Andrew Fraser welcomed the new office and what it would mean for the community.

"Each week I'd say we deal with more housing related inquires through our office than anything else," Mr Fraser said to the gathered crowd.

"Lately we've had cases where families had been living in a home for eight or 10 years and then they get the flick because the owner can get higher rent from local road workers."

Mr Bevington agreed with Mr Fraser about the predicament but said the problem was not just on the Coffs Coast.

"In Australia you have the public segmented into home ownership and private rental and public housing ? our main aim is to bridge that gap by providing affordable rental accommodation and eventual access to home ownership," Mr Bevington said.

"Coffs Harbour is a major hub for CHL NSW, with around 30 per cent of our total NSW stock located in this area, so the establishment of the new office will strengthen our service delivery and improve service outcomes for our tenants from Grafton to Armidale back to Macksville."

CHL appeared on the Coffs Coast after a successful merger with Community Housing Mid North Coast.

Last year 162 public housing properties were transferred into CHL's portfolio in 2011, supported by $1.195 million in maintenance upgrades.

Another service that will run out of the new office is the Coffs Harbour Accommodation Brokerage and Housing Service, for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

This service is auspiced by CHL and funded by Community Services NSW, and provides short term crisis accommodation, free showers, advocacy and referrals for those most in need.

If you would like to find out more about Community Housing Limited visit www.chl.org.au