The chronically homeless have been shown to generate costs of as much as $100,000 per person per annum in the use of health and other state and local services. There is ample data from Australia and elsewhere to show that secure supported housing significantly reduces those costs and results in better health outcomes.
Join ULI Sydney District Council for an exclusive site tour of Habilis 1 located in Summer Hill. Habilis is a values-based initiative to provide serviced housing for the homeless. Habilis aims to end the housing crisis by replicating a model of purpose-built small-scale clusters of units and providing services and basic social support. Habilis is a registered charity funded through private donations and Commonwealth and State grant funding that supports housing for the homeless.
Habilis’ strategy is to design and construct purpose-built homes at low cost and provide the support that allows residents to remain well and maintain tenancy. Support services are funded from rent taken from the Disability Support Pension, NDIS packages obtained for the residents, and from contributions in kind by family members, volunteers, and people performing community service. Visiting psychiatrists and mental health nurse practitioners are fully funded by Medicare.
Habilis purchased 2 Parramatta Road Summer Hill, previously used as a furniture factory and warehouse, with the help of $3m in philanthropic donations and a $1mfrom the NSW Minister for Mental Health. Habilis also received a $4.615m Community Housing Innovation Fund (CHIF) grant from the Minister for Family and Community Services (FACS) towards construction.
Inner West Council approved a development application based on plans drawn up by leading architects Collins and Turner, comprising 20 serviced apartments, a caretaker’s unit, a clinic and commercial space. The location has an attractive aspect facing the greenbelt along the Hawthorne Canal and is next to Taverners Hill light rail stop. Completed in July 2024, Habilis Summer Hill was built by Structure Australia. Habilis 1 is managed by Link Wentworth Housing, a leading Tier 1 community housing provider.
To get to the location of the tour: 2 Parramatta Road, Summer Hill - Take the light rail to Taverners Hill light rail station or go to Dulwich Hill or Summer Hill railway stations. Alternatively, if you drive park in Dover Street – there is also an awesome carwash at the corner of Dover Street and Parramatta Road!
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