This New Housing Initiative In Inner West Is A Landmark Response To DV Housing Crisis

NSW has been experiencing a housing crisis and domestic violence issue, and in response, a housing initiative was created.

It will take place in Ashfield, in Sydney’s Inner West. The project will provide 36,500 safe nights for homeless individuals. 

Between 2023 and 2024, more than 280,000 people received homelessness services in Australia, but another 72,000 were not able to find housing due to capacity issues. In 2023, 54 per cent of low-income renters were part of the homeless community. By 2025, 73 per cent of women reported leaving their homes due to domestic and family abuse, which continues to be a major factor contributing to homelessness.

“When you don’t have stable employment and money, trying to find a stable home for your children is really, really stressful and unfortunately it does become a cycle where because of those finances, we then faced eviction. Having to pack up our lives so many times creates a lot of trauma. In my mum’s case, by the time we reached our teenage years it had really taken that toll on her mental health,” said Saraya Sparrow, an individual who has experienced homelessness.

Rose Jackson, NSW Minister for Water, Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health, and Youth, is scheduled to open the housing initiative.

“I’m incredibly proud of the life-changing Inner West Project, it sets a new benchmark for how we tackle homelessness and domestic violence. It’s a model of leadership, partnership and purpose and showing what’s possible when we come together to put people first,” said Jackson.

Working behind the scenes

A leading Australian property developer, TOGA Group, supplied an 8,000m² Ashfield site with vacant buildings.

The NSW government, in collaboration with Together, TOGA Group, Women’s Community Shelters, Jewish House, Housing All Australians, and FDC Construction & Fitout, has worked to create accommodations in underutilised properties using a “meanwhile use” model, which involves the use of vacant or underutilised buildings. 

The FDC will contribute around $170,000 to the building works and materials. Companies such as Temple & Webster, Habitat for Humanity’s Habitat Women’s program, Dulux, ING Bank, Flower Power, and Kent Removalists will offer services in renovation, furnishing, and making the buildings feel welcoming.

The project is expected to provide housing for over 100 adults and children each night. It is supported through the state government’s Reforming Temporary Accommodation Grant.

“The Inner West Project shows what’s possible when private owners, community providers and government work together: we activate idle properties quickly, deliver safe accommodation at scale under a $1 meanwhile‐use lease for at least two years, and create the conditions for stability and recovery,” said Managing Director of Toga Group, Allan Vidor. 

The $1 meanwhile-use lease is delivered under the NSW Homelessness Innovation Fund.

“This is the largest ‘meanwhile use’ housing initiative in the Southern Hemisphere, and it’s only possible because of a united partnership between the NSW government, community organisations and the private sector…” said Jackson.

The Inner West initiative will also offer a variety of housing options to cater to individuals and families.

“Projects like this are urgently needed”

The Jewish House will have 50 rooms available for men experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The housing offers trauma support, counseling, employment assistance, case management, food, and essential items to build residents’ stability and independence.

The Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) provides accommodation for 50 women, children, and transgender individuals each night, offering 19 temporary apartment placements and 10 transitional apartments, many of which are self-contained with kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry facilities for the convenience of families. The self-contained units are essential for women with older male children, ensuring they receive the support they need. Mental health support is available for residents as well as case management, legal clinics, and life skills programs.

“Demand for safe housing for women, children and transgender people leaving violence is significant. Women’s Community Shelters increased safe beds across our network by 41% last year, however we still had to turn away one in two women every night. Projects like this are urgently needed lifelines for women and children and the transgender community,” said the CEO of Women’s Community Shelters, Annabelle Daniel OAM.

“Every night, too many people in NSW face the prospect of sleeping rough or without safety. The Inner West Project directly addresses these range of pressures by providing immediate, safe, and supported accommodation for many groups. In doing so, it eases the strain on overwhelmed homelessness services while giving individuals and families the stability they need to begin rebuilding their lives,” said the CEO of Jewish House, Rabbi Mendel Kastel OAM.

“Projects like this remind us that construction is ultimately about people — building places that strengthen communities and change lives,” said Managing Director of FDC Construction & Fitout, Russell Grady.