A building formerly used for aged care in Glenfield, 43 kilometres south west of Sydney, is now being converted into a “meanwhile use” space for 28 older women in need of temporary living accommodations.
Renovations are scheduled to be completed by the end of October, increasing the number of beds available through Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) to 100 per night.
Non-profit Housing All Australians facilitated the process, and chair Adrian Harrington, told The Fifth Estate that his organisation found the building at Whiddon’s Aged care complex, which allowed its property to be used and brought in WCS to operate it.
Harrington added that the Urban Property Group offered the refurbishment and furnishing of the property on a pro bono basis. Hume Housing and retailer Temple and Webster are also understood to be involved in the project.
The transitional housing will support women and families experiencing homelessness for typically six to 24 months while they secure permanent and affordable housing.
The repurposing of the asset is co-funded $446,450 by the NSW government’s Homelessness Innovation Fund. It is also supported by a change in planning laws to allow “meanwhile use” repurposing without needing to go through a development application.
“Meanwhile use” refers to a model of temporarily utilising vacant or underutilised space for other purposes, typically used in housing as transitional housing. In commercial spaces, the term has been used to describe creatives temporarily occupying spaces that were slated for future development or empty office spaces used as creative or mixed-use spaces.
The project will be WCS’s and Temple and Webster’s fifth “meanwhile use” property for older women, and will be Hume Housing, Housing All Australians, and Whiddon’s first.
WCS chief executive Annabelle Daniel says she hopes to continue to utilise the method to convert vacant property into a longer term crisis shelter network.
“We thank the NSW government for embracing our ‘meanwhile use’ model as a pragmatic response to the NSW housing crisis disproportionately impacting older women. We will continue working with communities to open more of these life-changing homes.”
Harrington said, “We applaud the NSW government for backing ‘meanwhile use’ housing as a smart, immediate solution to the housing crisis — one that delivers dignity, security and hope to those who need it most.
“This is a powerful example of what’s possible when business, government, and community come together with purpose — turning empty buildings into safe, welcoming homes for women fleeing domestic violence or at risk of homelessness.”
Urban Property Group’s general manager, Nick Gaudry, said, “When we heard about the opportunity to help convert this property into urgent housing for older women, it was an easy yes. Our team rolled up their sleeves, and we reached out to our suppliers, many of whom jumped in to help with materials and labour.
“It’s been a real team effort, and a great example of what can happen when people come together with purpose. We’re proud to play a part in creating safe, welcoming spaces for women who need them most.”
Harrington also revealed that he will become chair of the ESG governance group for Australian Community Housing – a new name for the entity after following the merger of Community Housing Industry Association and Powerhousing.