The Property Industry Foundation is proud to partner with Homes NSW, the City of Sydney, The Salvation Army, Goodman Foundation, and over 20 leading property and construction firms to build Haven House South Dowling – a flagship development for homeless youth in Sydney’s inner-city. The 19-bedroom development will offer at-risk young people a critical pathway into long term accommodation and access to education, employment and independent living skills.
Haven House South Dowling will be managed by The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Services team, offering vulnerable 16- to 24-year-olds who face challenges obtaining a private rental with a long term residential tenancy agreement. During this time, each resident will receive consistent support for education, training and employment opportunities, decision-making skills, budgeting and financial management skills, living skills and further independence. The program will employ a stepped approach to tenant rents, allowing young people to develop a rental history and successfully apply for properties in the private rental market, once they have secured full time employment.
“The Salvation Army is thrilled to be a part of this exciting new project along with Homes NSW, The City of Sydney, the Property Industry Foundation, Goodman Foundation and industry partners,” said The Salvation Army State Manager Youth (NSW/ACT) Thomas Austin. “The project will increase the number of transitional accommodation units for young people in the inner Sydney region and offer a clear pathway for young people to exit from the specialist homelessness service system, breaking the cycle of homelessness.”
The cutting-edge development – the Foundation’s largest to date – will offer 9 x 2-bedroom apartments and a 1 x 1-bedroom apartment, alongside communal areas, an outdoor terrace and green spaces. “This flagship facility demonstrates the role the property and construction industry can play in making a tangible impact on youth homelessness,” said Kate Mills, CEO of the Property Industry Foundation. “It is through cross-industry, cross-sector collaboration that we can make a difference. Together, we are continuing to support young people in Sydney who are homeless to enable them to rebuild their lives.”
Designed as a modern, light filled and transformative space, Haven House South Dowling has been made possible through a $3 million funding grant from Homes NSW, heavily subsidised rent from The City of Sydney to the value of $5.9 million, and $1.5 million donation from Goodman Foundation.
“Our focus is to provide innovative, tangible, and sustainable solutions for people experiencing disadvantage and hardship. As suppliers of essential infrastructure, we are well placed to help address the underlying problems of youth homelessness,” said Kris Ashpole, CEO, Goodman Foundation. “Providing the holistic support needed is critical if we are to break the cycle and provide opportunities for people to flourish. Through this project, and with the assistance of the partners involved, we hope to enable long term positive change to residents.”
Industry partners Charter Hall, ISPT, Lendlease, and The GPT Group have each funded an apartment, with additional contributions from companies including Abacus, ARA Group, Aurecon, Bawdens, Brookfield, and DASCO Australia.
To date, close to $1M of pro bono has been delivered by the consultancy team to get the project to this stage. The team includes MinterEllison, ADP Consulting, Northrop Consulting Engineers, Arcadia, E-Lab, Xavier Knight, Urbis and Douglas Partners alongside others.
In addition, around $1 million of the build cost is expected to come from pro bono support from various organisations, including Brickworks, CSR, GWA Caroma, KONE, Lysaght, Metz, and Milliken.
Construction of the ambitious 799sqm residential development, with architecture by Fitzpatrick + Partners and project management by Essence Project Management, is due to begin next year.
When complete, Haven House South Dowling will be one of few long-term supported accommodation options for young people in Sydney. A safe, sustainable home is critical to allowing young people to develop living skills, rental histories, study qualifications and employment experience to be able to exit homelessness – permanently. “This is a significant project that takes us another step forward in addressing youth homelessness in Sydney and demonstrates what can be achieved when government, industry, and community sectors come together,” said Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson. “We know that there are increasing numbers of people sleeping rough in a cost-of-living crisis everywhere across NSW, so the need for transitional housing is more important than ever. Through the innovative approach of this project, we aim to provide shelter while empowering young people to build stable and independent futures.”
“We are pleased to collaborate with the property and construction industry, Homes NSW, the City of Sydney, The Salvation Army and Goodman Foundation to deliver this important project, Haven House South Dowling. This flagship facility demonstrates the role the property and construction industry can play in making a tangible impact on youth homelessness”
Kate Mills, CEO of the Property Industry Foundation
If you want to be involved with the project, let us know at pif@pif.com.au
For ongoing updates on the progress of Haven House South Dowling please visit here
